Belo Horizonte
Since the planned uprising of the Inconfidentes in 1789, the residents of the state had dreamed of a capital that would open a new historical chapter. The initiative to wipe the slate clean of Portuguese...
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Caxambu
A 19th-century town once frequented by Brazilian royalty, Caxambu remains a favorite getaway for wealthy and retired cariocas (residents of Rio). Although most people spend their time here relaxing in...
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Diamantina
Diamantina took its name from the diamonds that were extracted in great quantities here in the 18th century. Perhaps because of its remote setting in the barren mountains close to the sertão (a...
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Mariana
The oldest city in Minas Gerais (founded in 1696) is also the birthplace of Aleijadinho's favorite painter, Manuel da Costa Ataíde. Mariana, like Ouro Preto, has preserved much of the appearance...
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Ouro Preto
The former gold-rush capital is the best place to see the legendary Aleijadinho's artistry. Now a lively university town, it's been preserved as a national monument and a World Heritage site. The surrounding...
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Sabará
Sabará's churches drive home the enormous wealth of Minas Gerais during the gold-rush days. In this former colonial town, today a sprawling Belo Horizonte suburb of 140,000, historic buildings are...
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São Lourenço
This most modern of the mineral-spa towns is a good base from which to visit the other Circuito das Águas communities. From here taxis and tour operators happily negotiate a day rate for the circuit...
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São Tomé das Letras
With its tales of flying saucers, its eerie stone houses that resemble architecture from outer space, and its 7,500 inhabitants who swear to years of friendship with extraterrestrials, São Tomé...
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Tiradentes
Probably the best historic city to visit after Ouro Preto and Diamantina, Tiradentes was the birthplace of a martyr who gave the city its name (it was formerly called São José del Rei) and...
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