Ouro Prêto Off The Beaten Path

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In between Ouro Preto and Mariana you have a gold mine that was used until quite recently.
It is partly flooded today, but there is a quite a bit to see and you have guides showing you around there and answering what questions you might have.
Entering the mine is one of the really cool things as you are going down there on the old rail tracks and it´s quite steep as you are hanging there in the little trolley car being pulled in a wire.
I would also say that this is a very child friendly excursion.
Should you be a diver with a certificate then it possible to dive in the part of the mine that is now flooded if you book in advance.

The mine is half way between Ouro Preto and Mariana and you can get there by taking one of the frequent busses travelling between the two towns and then just ask to be let off by the mine.

It´s a bit of a steep trek up tp the top of Morro Sao Sebastiao, but it´s worth it as it gives you one of the best views of Ouro Preto and a bit of exercise never hurts.
There is a nice little viewpoint area there where you can chill out while enjoying the view.

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Five kilometres from Ouro Preto, the ancient gold mine of Mina da Passagem (or Mina de Ouro) is the largest open-to visit mine of gold in the world and the best one to visit in Ouro Preto region. Gold was first extracted here in 1719, making Mina da Passagem one of the oldest deep-shaft gold mines in Minas Gerais, although most of the 17 km of galleries date from 19th century. Since its foundation approximately 35 tons of gold have been extracted. The mine's nine faces have long since closed and the site exists today as a tourist attraction.

Mina da Passagem keeps secrets and mysteries that enchant everyone. A cable car drives us to the underground galleries, which reach 315 m of lenght and 120 m of depth and which temperature varies between 17 to 20C. The small crystalline floodlit lake inside the mine impresses everyone and you are free to swim.

The mine is located between Ouro Preto and Mariana. Take any local bus that run between the two and get off at the stop opposite the mine. It is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The guided tour is led by former miners and lasts about an hour. It is quite informative: it covers the history of the mine and the methods used to extract the gold. I was the only visitor at that time so I shared special attention. The guide was happy to satisfy my curiosity and answered all my questions.

Mariana is one of the most important historic towns of Minas Gerais and the oldest of the state. It's a pleasant old mining town with row upon row of fine colonial houses. Many of them have now transformed the ground floors into stores and boutiques. It's retained the tranquility of many of the mining towns and can really transmit the glimpse of what life was like during the early days of the gold rush.

Mariana's colonial churches are smaller and less extravagant then Ouro Preto's, though most are decorated with paintings by the Brazilian master Athayde, who came from here and is buried in Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis.

The central square is Praca da Se. There you find Catedral Basilica da Se which is the oldest church of Mariana. Nearby is Rua Direita with its characteristic historic buildings. Rua Direita takes you to Praca Minas Gerais. There you find Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis. It dates from the later baroque and is known for its paintings by Athayde and an altar and pews by Aleijadinho. On the other side of the square is Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo with its less elaborate exterior. But the combination of the two churches with the equally graceful Prefeitura makes the square an attractive place to take a break. From here it's a short uphill walk to Basilica de Sao Pedro dos Clerigos which offers a wonderful view over the town.

Mariana is located at a distance of 12 km east of Ouro Preto and can be done as a day trip. There are regular buses between Ouro Preto an Mariana every 30 minutes and the journey lasts about 35 minutes. The bus stop for Mariana is just northeast of Praca Tiradentes.

the Mainstreet of Mariana ..the old cobblestones and Jeep...yep, it has been 30y ago, maybe Spring is the best to travel in this part of Minas Gerais, though actually the weather is much milder, because of the altitude, then Brasil in general...but Spring has been my favorite season anyway..the colours are stunning.

the Church high on the Hill overlooking Sabara,the Landmark of this beautiful Town,
brazilian baroque at its best. Sabara is much smaller then Ouro Preto, but complets the circle of a glorious and rich past

on the way to Ouro Preto you pass through an other exceptional old Town..Mariana, brazilian baroque as fine as in Ouro Preto..but an other black past of humankind: the Slave Market. the native Indians where unsuitable for mining deep into the shafts, and strictly refused to work, died at free will

distance from Belo Horizonte:
Ouro Preto..around 80km
and pass Mariana and Sabara on its way to
Congonhas..around 90km, if short of own Transport, Busses are a good choice to travel, quite cheap but compfy