Frutal: Culture, Lakes and Religious Traditions

Frutal brings together urban history, a protected landscape complex and religious traditions. These offer different ways to plan your trip: historical collections and memorial sites, the lakes of Parque dos Lagos, or customs with recurring dates.

City History at the Museu de Frutal

The historic Museu de Frutal was founded on August 16, 2005. It is located in three rooms of the former Paço Municipal, which now houses the Casa da Cultura. The first room displays panels about the city’s founding, as well as objects recalling the manor house and the slave quarters. The third room, the Espaço da Comunicação, features panels about the municipality’s subsequent history and communication devices such as televisions, radios and cameras. Together, these rooms take visitors from the story of the city’s founding through later developments and media. If you are planning a museum visit, keep in mind that exhibits and individual objects may change.

Lakes and Green Spaces at Parque dos Lagos

Parque Municipal Leda Campos Borges – Parque dos Lagos is a protected landscape complex. It was granted heritage protection by Municipal Decree No. 7633 of April 6, 2009. Three natural lakes are surrounded by green spaces; the park also has facilities for walking, sports and recreation. The lakes and green spaces provide a landscape-focused alternative to Frutal’s historical and cultural attractions. As you plan your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on collections and memorial sites or also include the park’s landscape.

Religious Traditions and Annual Events

The de Marujo “José Albino da Silva” group is an expression of popular religious culture and was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Frutal on March 8, 2019. Its annual activities in May celebrate the abolition of slavery; in November, the group takes part in celebrations for Black Consciousness Day. If you plan your trip around these periods, check the specific event dates in advance.

The Companhia de Santos Reis “Estrela da Guia” has also been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Frutal, since November 28, 2016. It has existed for more than 50 years and preserves the traditions of the Folias de Reis. The Romaria à Água Santa is another religious landmark: it takes place every year on October 12, honors Nossa Senhora Aparecida and dates back to 1961. Pilgrims from Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo travel the 24 kilometers between Frutal and Água Santa as an expression of their faith. The pilgrimage is spontaneous and independent of government authorities or religious institutions. If you are traveling for the event, check the specific arrangements.

Historic Sites, Art and Cultural Heritage

The Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo at Praça da Matriz is considered an outstanding attraction and a city landmark. The Belvedere Otogamis de Paula is located in central Frutal, opposite the Igreja Matriz, and forms part of the city’s historical and cultural heritage, which also includes Praça da Matriz and the Igreja Matriz.

The image of Nossa Senhora do Carmo comes from the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Carmo at Praça da Matriz. It is kept in the reception area of the Casa Paroquial and is protected as cultural heritage under Decrees No. 6.600/2005 and No. 21/2006. Its display may change. The art panels painted by Bassano Vaccarini are also protected as historical and cultural heritage. They decorated Cine Canaã, which opened in 1958 on the initiative of Otogamiz de Paula and was known at the time for its 750 leather seats and modern facilities.

Capoeira is also part of Frutal’s cultural life as a cultural, historical and social tradition. The Raça Negra and Quanza groups, as well as the Associação Cultural UniAfro Brasil, represent the tradition and preserve the municipality’s memory and identity. Frutal’s cultural heritage thus ranges from protected objects and historic sites to traditions sustained by community groups.

Discover more destinations: Sabará, Fazendinha, Jaboticatubas, Baependi, São João Del Rei, Santo Antônio do Pirapetinga, Itajubá, Macacos.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.