Tiradentes Things to Do

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In 1881 Don Pedro II inaugurated the West Minas Railroad, a railway of about 775km (465 miles). This route is a part of the few left that still operate as a heritage railway. The American steam locomotive, Maria Fumaça, dates from the beginning of the 20th century and it is in excellent working condition. The train takes you from Tiradentes to São João Del Rey on an unforgettable 13 km (9 mile) journey. It takes approximately half an hour.
At the end of the trip, in São João Del Rey, you can visit the interesting Railway museum.
Tickets are 18R$ for one way and 30R$ for a round trip. Children's tickets are half the price. It runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays..
Leaves Tiradentes at 13:00 and 17:00 and São João at 10:00 and 15:00. It covers the distance of 12 kilometers in 35 minutes.

Look at the photos!

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This is an art gallery. The artist creates decorative art mainly, playing with repeated patterns in different, vibrant colors. The dominating colors are white, green, red and blue. He uses various materials, such as metal, plaster, ceramic and wood. Photography is not allowed but I didn't know that when I took these three photos...or at least I ..avoid asking...

At the end of the 18th century some exceptional personalities of the local community, full of passion for freedom and love for their country and inspired by the flame of the French Revolution in 1789, decided to start their own rebellion and created the "Inconfidencia Mineira" against the Portuguese. One of them was "Tiradentes", a national hero.
They planned to make up a new government and then demand their independence from the Portuguese who ruled their country and took all the riches while the people were starving. They would all fight for their cause and would establish a republic freed from the exploitation of the empire... They were finally betrayed by one of them and were thrown to prison. Some of them were sentenced to death but were not executed. Only Tiradentes was cruelly decapitated and cut to pieces....!!! His pieces were exposed around the region to intimidate his future imitators.
It was 21 of April 1792.

The town took its name from the Brazilian freedom rebel Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier, who was a dentist. "Tira + dentes" means "pulls teeth"....! He was born in 1746 in a farm near the town of Tiradentes from a father with liberal ideas and member of the local council. He worked as a dentist and became an army officer before organising the Inconfidencia Mineira, a revolt against the Portuguese harsh exploitation of the local people. He was the only one who did not escape death when the rebellion was betrayed and stopped. The day of his execution, April 21, is a national holiday in Brazil..

Back in 1718 it was an old village named São Jose in honour of the future king of Portugal D. Jose. When they found gold in the region the small village attracted more people and became a town in 1860. During the 18th century the town lived from the exploration of gold and was one of the most important producer of gold in Minas. At the end of the 19th century, after the rebellion of the local population organised by "Tiradentes" and Father Toledo, and the change of government, the name was changed to that of the local hero and not of a Portuguese king. In 1938 it was declared a National Historic and Architectural Monument and it was left the way it was until today.

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Angela Nunes is a romantic painter creating works inspired by the natural and architectural beauty of Minas Gerais. She has participated in many collective art exhibition and has made some on her own since 2004.

Ateliê: Rua do Chafariz, 156 - centro - Tiradentes
tel:(32) 3355-1780
www.tiradentesgerais.com.br/angelanunes

Rua Brasil Artes e Oficios Rua dos Incofidentes 98 - Centro – Tiradentes
tel:(32) 3355-1484
www.rarobrasil.com.br

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Bichinho is only 7 km from Tiradentes. It is a small village in a lush environment but packed with artcraft shops, galleries and workshops. Paintings, decoration and furniture are produced and sold to the nearby towns. It is worth visiting as you can watch craftsmen at work, and buy directly. It's really pleasant to walk in the quiet streets of the village where horses, sheep and artists mingle in a harmonious picture. You can visit Oficina do Agosto while there.
Share a taxi with friends if the local bus doesn't suit you. It's about 20R$ just to go and 50R if he waits for you and brings you back. Negotiate!

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Don't miss the Travelogues, Bichinho (1) and Bichinho (2)!

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Going down Rua da Câmara from Matriz do Santo Antonio, my eyes lingered on an interesting building. I don't know what attracted my attention but I decided to take the photo. Later I saw it as a screen saver of a local computer and learnt that it is the most famous antique shop in Tiradentes, called Antiquario Nobre Decadência. As for the beauty of the building ..I don't know..judge for yourself...