Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Street-by-Street: Ouro Preto
4
Ouro Preto, or “Black Gold,” earned its
name shortly after its founding in 1698,
from tarnished gold nuggets mined in the
surrounding areas. It still resembled a boom
town when it was given city status in 1711.
By the mid-18th century, however, the gold
rush had turned Ouro Preto into a wealthy
town with fine buildings. It nurtured a gene-
ration of some of Latin America's finest
artists and craftsmen, including the eccle-
siastical painter Mestre Athayde and the
great sculptor Aleijadinho among others
.
Ouro Preto
became the base of the Inconfidência rebellion led
by Tiradentes against Portuguese colonists.
Christ, Nossa
Senhora
do Pilar
Casa dos Contos
Once the gold
exchange, then
a prison, the
building is
now a small
museum
dedicated to
money and
finance.
A cluster of colonial buildings in hilly Ouro Preto town
.
Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar
Exquisite artwork is showcased in this
opulent Brazilian Baroque church,
resplendent in gold. The carvings in the
chancel
are breathtaking.
V
STAR SIGHTS
.
Matriz de Nossa
Senhora do Pilar
. Matriz de Nossa
Senhora da Conceição
Museu do
Oratório
. Igreja de São
Francisco de Assis
0 meters
100
0 yards
100
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp372-3 and pp398-9
