» About Ouro Preto - MG

     Ouro Preto (from Portuguese, Black Gold) is a small colonial town in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980 because of its outstanding Baroque architecture. Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (meaning Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil's golden age in the 18th century under Portuguese rule. The city contains only few signs of modern urban life since modern construction must adhere to historical standards maintained by the city. Attractions in Ouro Preto include eighteenth and nineteenth-century churches decorated with gold and the sculptured works of famous Brazilian artists, Brazilian history, art and mineralogy museums, underground gold mines, among others. In addition to these cultural attractions, Ouro Preto has many restaurants featuring traditional Minas Gerais’ food and an entertaining night life. We will provide shuttle service from the hotel to the town center and back at convenient times every evening.

Find below a video about the state of Minas Gerais

     “Minas Gerais: The Brazil that lies beyond the Christ on the hill in Rio, the eco-lodges of the Amazon and the model-flecked beaches of Florianópolis. Instead of a cross on a hill, Minas has colonial towns loaded with Baroque-style churches. Instead of vast rain forests, Minas has gorgeous mountains and countless waterfalls. And instead of beaches, it’s the home of a country cooking style famed across this nation of more than 190 million.”

Seth Kugel
The Other Brazil: Minas Gerais
Published in The New York Times, October 25 2009.