DAY 17 (1 OF 4) – OURO PRETO, BRAZIL

Ouro Preto, which literally translates as “Black Gold” in English, was the state capital of Minas Gerais. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it is considered as the best preserved historical colonial town in Brazil. In the 18th century, Ouro Preto was the centre of the largest gold mining region in the New World. The bustling city was one of the biggest city in the New World, with miners, priests, artists, artisans, and tens of thousands of slaves from Africa. Divided into different parishes each with its own mother church, Ouro Preto was famous for its Baroque churches. After the state capital was moved to Belo Horizonte in 1897, Ouro Preto went through a gradual decline. Today, the 23 well preserved Baroque churches, fine soapstone and wooden statues, winding alleys, and steep cobblestone streets make Ouro Preto one of the busiest tourist cities in Brazil. The city also serves a centre for education and arts in the region.

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More posts on Minas Gerais, Brazil
Day 15.2 – Museu des Minas do Metal, Belo Horizonte
Day 15.3 – Brazilian Churrascarla, Belo Horizonte
Day 16 – Inhotim, Brumadinho
Day 17.1 – Ouro Preto
Day 17.2 – Cafe Geraes, Ouro Preto
Day 17.3 – Afternoon Stroll, Ouro Preto
Day 17.4 – Rua do Pilar, Ouro Preto
Day 18.1 – Townscape, Ouro Preto
Day 18.2 – A Walk to Igreja de Santa Efigenia dos Pretos, Ouro Preto
Day 18.3 – Sunset, Ouro Preto
Day 19 – Ouro Preto to Rio de Janeiro

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South America 2013 – Our Destinations
Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Pantanal (Brazil), Brasilia (Brazil), Belo Horizonte & Inhotim (Brazil), Ouro Preto (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Paraty (Brazil), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Samaipata & Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Sucre (Bolivia), Potosi (Bolivia), Southwest Circuit (Bolivia), Tilcara, Purmamarca, Salta (Argentina), Cafayate (Argentina), San Pedro de Atacama (Chile), Antofagasta & Paranal Observatory (Chile), Chiloe (Chile), Puerto Varas (Chile), Torres del Paine (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), El Chalten (Argentina), El Calafate (Argentina), Isla Magdalena (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Valparaiso (Chile), Afterthought