Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
São João del Rei
Dating back to a simple mining camp established in 1704 on the São João River,
SÃO JOÃO DEL REI
has all the usual trappings of the
cidades históricas
- gilded
Baroque churches, well-stocked museums, colonial mansions (Tiradentes
himself was born here in 1746) - but uniquely it's also a thriving modern
town, easily the largest of the historic cities, with a population of just over
85,000 and a major student presence thanks to UFSJ (Universidade Federal
de São João del Rei).
São João is divided into two main districts, each with a colonial area, separated
by a small stream - the Córrego do Lenheiro - which runs between the broad
Avenida Tancredo Neves
, on the north side, and
Avenida Hermílio Alves
, which
turns into
Avenida Eduardo Magalhães
, to the south. Relatively small and easy
to find your way around, these districts are linked by a number of small bridges,
including two eighteenth-century stone ones and a late nineteenth-century
footbridge made of cast iron.
2
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Praça Frei Orlando • Mon-Sat 8am-5.30pm, Sun 8am-4pm • R$5 •
T
32 3372 3110,
W
votdesaofranciscodeassis.org.br
The most impressive of the town's colonial churches and a wonderful example of
barroco mineiro
, the
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
is one block off the western end
of Avenida Eduardo Magalhães. Overlooking a square with towering palms - some
more than a century old - the church, started in 1774, is exceptionally large, with an
ornately carved exterior by a pupil of
Aleijadinho
. The master himself contributed the
intricate decorations of the side chapels, which can be seen in all their glory now the
original paint and gilding have been stripped off. Also here is the
grave of Tancredo
Neves
, in the cemetery behind the church.
SÃO JOÃO DEL REI
PR. RAUL
SOARES
Rodoviária
Museu
Ferroviário
Estacâo
Ferroviária
A
M I R O F
L O R
H E I
Igreja N.S.
do Carmo
N.S. das Mercês
Teatro
Municipal
Catedral Basílica
de N.S. de Pilar
N
Museu de
Arte Sacra
Museu FEB
Solar dos
Neves
Museu
Regional
PRAÇA
SEVERIANO
DE RESENDE
PRAÇA DOS
EXPEDICIONÁRIOS
Memorial
Tancredo
Neves
Igreja do
Rosário
CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS
Biscoiteria Tradição Mineira
Churrascaria Ramon
Del Rei Café
Restaurante Rex
Villeiros
Igreja de São
Francisco de Assis
ACCOMMODATION
Brasil
Pousada Beco do Bispo
Pousada Rotunda
Pousada Villa Magnólia
1
4
3
2
5
1
3
2
4
0
250
metres
