Minas Gerais
A canvas of historical colonial towns, ecological riches and architectural delights, untouched by time
A landscape pocketed with peaceful old colonial towns and beautiful churches, Minas Gerais is a region with history and stunning scenery in abundance.
The Comuna do Ibitipoca in the south east of Minas Gerais is a place where both history and nature are combined: With its white sandy beaches, canyons, caves and a legion of wild animals including deer, Tayra, wild boar, ocelots and pumas, here you will learn about “Rewilding” as over 5,000 hectares of previously degraded land, reveal the regeneration of native Atlantic forest, flora and fauna.
With Belo Horizonte acting as the Piccadilly Circus of Minas Gerais, it is largely used as a stepping stone for places like Ouro Preto, the first UNESCO Heritage site in Brazil, and Tiradentes, a small picturesque mountain village with heaps of charm, both rich with history.
Sixty kilometres from Belo Horizonte is The Centro de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim and is one of Brazil’s most important cultural experiences. Its two dozen art “pavilions”, house over 500 works by noted Brazilian and international artists. This huge ranch has been converted into a botanical garden, and is the “Eden” of Minas Gerais, exhibiting thousands of species of plants and trees including the biggest palm collection in the world.
Ouro Preto, which translates as “Black Gold”, blends modern living with the past, and is named after the famous gold rush in 1711. It is the face of old Colonial-style architecture in Brazil and remains vastly untouched by time.
Tiradentes is a small Colonial town, offering stunning hikes and cultural tours, including one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the country, the Church of Santo Antonio.
Welcoming you with open arms, Mineiro’s are warm-hearted people, and very proud of their heritage. They delight in giving you a taste of their traditional dishes, such as Bolinho de Mandioca or quibe.
Like much of Brazil, Minas Gerais also has its own imposing flora and fauna. It provides a very different experience to the beaches of the Northeast and the jungles of the Amazon, but is equally special and enchanting.
For more information on Minas Gerais and its rich history and colonial towns, give us a call or send us a message.