| Ouro Preto - Presentation |
Ouro Preto |
With its narrow streets and 17th century houses, Ouro Preto is
registered by UNESCO as World Heritage. The city keep houses and religious monuments from the baroque period very well preserved, proof of the
glorious times when the city was called Vila Rica.
Ouro Preto was the city of the government in the past times. With the
transference of Minas Gerais capital to Belo Horizonte, in the end of the 19th century, the city lost the politic importance, but
kept the historical real properties preserved. Among the main monuments is Casa dos Contos. Museu da Inconfidência must also be visited,
located in the old building of Casa de Câmara e Cadeia.
There are lots of churches in the city, with altars and wall adorned with gold.
As there was a huge competition among the religious brotherhoods, each one hired the best artists of that time to build their temples. One of
the most demanded artists was Aleijadinho. Considered a genius, Aleijadinho was responsible for designing and carving the facades of churches
and saint images, even though he suffered from a degenerative disease, leprosy, which obligated him to work with tools tied to his
arms.
Praça Tiradentes, downtown, is the meeting point in Ouro Preto. Night life is
lively due to the presence of the students of the Federal University, who crowd the bars and restaurants at night. During Carnaval and Semana
Santa, many tourists visit the city, which realizes memorable parties to celebrate those dates. In October, there’s "Festa do 12”, organized by
the students.
Up to nowadays, to walk in the sinuous streets of former Vila Rica means to
perceive the traces of the great richness and the social differences of the colonial epoch. Those who go to Ouro Preto only need to be ready to
know Brazil’s history and, of course, walk, since the slopes are very steep. Just to remember that car traffic is difficult due to the narrow
streets.
Basic Information
DDD: 31
Inhabitants: 66.277
Local Time: - 3 GMT
Local Holidays:
08/07 – City Anniversary |
Presentation
