| São João Del Rei - History |
Centro Histórico |
São João Del Rei has its origins in Arraial Novo do Rio das Mortes, which started
to be populated in 1704 due to the Discovery of gold in the country side of Minas Gerais. Some time later, explorers and other adventurers
started to live in the region, and even a chapel in homage to Nossa Senhora do Pilar was built.
In 1713, Arraial Novo do Rio das Mortes becomes a village, then receiving the name
of São João del Rei in homage to the King of Portugal, Dom João V. agriculture and cattle raising activities helped in the continuous growth of
the village, which surpassed, without huge economical crisis, the decadence of the gold exploration in Minas Gerais, in the end of the
18th century.
However, Portugal continued to demand the payment of high taxes from the
population, which lead the residents of Minas Gerais country side cities to conspire against Portugal, São João Del Rei, Tiradentes and Vila Rica
among them. The most known movement was Inconfidência Mineira, of 1789, where São João Del Rei would be promoted to capital after being freed.
But the conspiracy was discovered and their leaders arrested.
São João Del Rei became a city in 1838. Some time later, the Oeste-Minas railroad
station was inaugurated, bringing more development to the city. In the end of the 19th century, the region of Curral del Rei, actual
Belo Horizonte, was promoted to capital of Minas Gerais, what diminished a little the economical importance of São João del Rei.
Nowadays, the city is one of the main tour spots in Minas Gerais country side. It
has a Federal university and is known by its small craftsmanship fabrics, where tin pieces are produced.
In 1938, Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) registered
the architectonical and urban body of the city. Around 700 constructions located in the historic center are preserved, which includes important
houses and religious buildings. |
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