Ouro Preto

Town · Minas Gerais, 🇧🇷 Brazil

Population 74,558

Area 1,249 km²

Time zone America/Sao_Paulo

Official website www.ouropreto.mg.gov.br

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Featured Lists

Diogo Menichelli / CC-BY-SA

Ouro Preto Essentials

Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves the architectural legacy of Brazil's 18th-century gold rush. This collection features the masterpieces of sculptor Aleijadinho, including the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi and the historic Praça Tiradentes. Visitors can explore the depths of the Mina du Veloso, view extensive mineral collections at the School of Mines, and visit the Casa da Ópera, the oldest functioning theater in the Americas. These landmarks trace the city's evolution from a mining hub to the center of the Inconfidência Mineira independence movement.

14 places

Erikson Verissimo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Historic Churches of Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto’s religious architecture represents the height of the Brazilian Gold Rush, showcasing intricate Baroque and Rococo styles. These 18th-century churches, many designed by the renowned sculptor Aleijadinho, feature elaborate soapstone carvings and ceilings painted by Manuel da Costa Ataíde. From the opulent gold-leaf interiors of the Mother Church of Our Lady of the Pillar to the unique curved facade of the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, these sites reflect the wealth and artistic sophistication of colonial Minas Gerais.

10 places

enioprado / CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic Museums & Heritage

Ouro Preto's historical center preserves the legacy of the 18th-century gold rush and the Inconfidência Mineira independence movement. This collection features the Museu da Inconfidência, housed in the former municipal palace, and the Casa dos Contos, a former colonial tax office. Visitors can explore the extensive mineral collections at the Escola de Minas, religious art within the Museu do Oratório, and the Baroque architecture of the Igreja Nossa Senhora das Mercês e Misericórdia. These sites document the intersection of colonial wealth, revolutionary politics, and sacred art in Minas Gerais.

6 places

MBelu / CC BY-SA 4.0

Nature and Viewpoints

This collection highlights the geological and scenic landscape surrounding the historic center of Ouro Preto. It includes the 1,772-meter Pico do Itacolomi, a prominent rock formation once used by colonial explorers as a navigational landmark. Within the city, Horto dos Contos offers a botanical walkway dating back to 1799, while Mirante das Lajes and Morro São Sebastião provide panoramic views of the baroque architecture. The selection also features natural water sites like Cachoeira dos Namorados and the lakes of Pocinhos.

10 places