Ouro Prêto, "the Black gold" of Brazil

Ouro Prêto

Of all the exquisite colonial towns scattered around Minas Gerais, Ouro Preto is the jewel in the crown. Significant historically as a center of gold mining and government, and as the stage for Brazil’s first independence movement, the city remains vital in modern times as a center for education and the arts, and as one of Brazil’s most visited tourist destinations.

Choose tours to Ouro Prêto

Tour to Ouro Prêto

Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.

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Breathtaking nature, ancient history, warm-hearted people, and the feeling that you’ve found a place where time loses its meaning. Are you ready to journey to a land where every moment becomes an adventure?

Excursions in Ouro Prêto

Since the city was the capital of gold prospectors, and gold mining greatly influenced the history of this place, there are several mines open to tourists in Ouro Preto.

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It`s useful to know

Ouro Prêto, the city of gold rush

Ouro Prêto- discover a corner of colonial architecture in Brazil!

Built at the feet of the Serra do Espinhaço, Ouro Preto’s colonial center is larger and has steeper topography than any other historical town in Minas. The narrow, crooked streets of the upper and lower towns tangle together and in places are too rough and precipitous for vehicles. Navigating the vertiginous cobblestone slopes on foot can be exhausting, but the views of 23 churches spread out across the hilly panorama are spectacular. The city is a showcase of outstanding mineiro art and architecture, including some of Aleijadinho’s finest works.