Ouro
Preto was the capital of Minas Gerais from 1822 until 1897,
when Belo Horizonte became the power. This doing permitted the
whole historical centre of the city to remain intact, conserving
much of its colonial heritage.
Besides
the abundant history of the city, Ouro Preto also possesses
beautiful natural sites such as the waterfall - Cascada das
Andorinhas, situated in the north of the city and the Parque
Estadual de Itacolomi, whose mountain of the same name serves
as a landmark for the inhabitants and where the first gold is
believed to have been found.
Don’t
miss out on a trip to the gold mines of Passagem - las Minas
da Passagem, old mines dating back to 1719, where you can descend
120 metres and explore the old gold routes dug by more than
3000 slaves.
