Minas Gerais: Places to Explore

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more