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Ouro Preto, just a few hours from Belo Horizonte, is one of the most amazing places I’ve visited in Brazil. It’s a colonial town with a gorgeous setting that was made very wealthy by the gold rush. Several colorful colonial buildings and stunning churches line the steep streets of this hilly UNESCO World Heritage town.
Getting There
My friend Mike and I arrived by bus from Belo Horizonte’s bus terminal. The bus made a couple stops along the way until we finally arrived at Ouro Preto. From the bus station, it was just a short walk to the colonial town.
Wandering Around
The best thing to do in Ouro Preto is to get lost in the steep, winding streets. You will discover all kinds of restaurants, bars, shops, boutique hotels, and more. The scenery is out of this world!
Casa dos Contos
The town is not short on historical sites, either. Casa dos Contos, located in the lower part of town, was the former gold exchange and prison. It’s now a free museum and worth a look.
The museum features currency and artifacts from slavery. There are a few pieces of furniture from the period of the building’s use. It also has great views from the balcony.
Tiradentes Square
Tiradentes Square (Praça Tiradentes) is a square that sits at the top of a hill and features a statue of Tiradentes. With his group, the Inconfidentes, he led a rebellion against the Portuguese and was executed.
At one end of the square is the Inconfidence Museum (Museu da Inconfidência), dedicated to the Inconfidentes. The magnificent building that houses the museum was once the town hall and later a prison.
Stay Longer!
Although we only did Ouro Preto on a short day trip, it warrants an overnight stay to fully explore the streets, admire the churches, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
