Historic Town of Ouro Prêto, Brazil

Carmo Church, Ouro Prêto
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NSCarmoOuroPreto-CCBY.jpg
Author: Sarah and Iain


Vila Rica do Ouro Prêto, which means Black Gold, is a town that was the centre of Brazil's 17th century gold rush. The name translates as "Rich Village of Black Gold", though today it is simply called Ouro Prêto. It is located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains. After the gold had been mined, the town went into decline, but its beautiful churches, bridges and fountains, built during its "golden age", remains today as a legacy of the gilded past. They are also an immortalized creative testimony of the talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.

Ouro Prêto was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 4th session of the World Heritage Committee when it met in Paris on 1-5 September, 1980.

Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, Ouro Prêto
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SFrancisOuroPreto-CCBY.jpg
Author: Sarah and Iain


The town of Ouro Prêto was founded towards the end of the 17th century. As it became the centre for gold mining, it was a prosperous town, and this is reflected in its architecture. Many of the historic buildings survive till today, thanks to an economic decline that helped to preserve the old buildings from "urban renewals". The architecture in Ouro Prêto is described as Barroco Mineiro, a baroque revivial style that is reflected in the work of sculptors such as Aleijadinho, who created many of the sculptures in town.

Ouro Prêto was where the unsuccessful fight for independence from Portugal was hatched. Its leader, Tierdentes, was hanged to prevent future attempts. The town was the capital of the state of Minas Gerais from 1822 until 1897, when the need for administrative space required a new capital city. Belo Horizonte, a new planned city, took over as capital of Minas Gerais in 1897.

Rosario Pretos, Ouro Prêto
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RosarioPretos-OuroPreto1.jpg
Author: Espartaco Madureira Coelho

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S 20 23 20 W 43 30 20 in the State of Minas Gerais
Inscription Year: 1980
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, III

Visiting Historic Town of Ouro Prêto

Your base for visiting this World Heritage Site is the city of Belo Horizonte. You may have to enter Brazil via Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, and transit to Belo Horizonte. From there, you can make the arrangement, either on your own or through a travel agency, to go to Ouro Prêto.

How to get there

From Belo Horizonte, you can take a bus to Ouro Preto. There are many departures per day.

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