Ouro Preto: Colonial Historic Center, Baroque and Nature

Ouro Preto brings together colonial-era architecture and religious art with museum exhibits and nature. Its historic center, churches and museums, as well as trails and landscape features in the parks, take center stage.

Historic Center and Baroque

The historic city of Ouro Preto preserves a center that took shape during the colonial era. It includes a variety of civic and religious buildings of refined aesthetic and architectural quality; together, they express outstanding universal value. The historic city is listed by IPHAN as a cultural World Heritage site.

The historic city includes the Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, an important work of Brazilian Baroque by Antônio Francisco Lisboa (Aleijadinho). The Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar was built from rammed earth and wood and completed around 1712. It is considered the oldest temple in Vila Rica. These two churches offer different examples of historic buildings and broaden the picture of Ouro Preto’s religious architecture.

Museum and Mining

At the Museu Boulieu – Caminhos da Fé, Baroque is presented as a global form of expression and a synthesis. Its collection includes more than 2,000 pieces assembled by Maria Helena and Jacques Boulieu. This broadens the view from individual church buildings to a wider presentation of the Baroque.

The Mina do Chico Rei lies beneath part of Ouro Preto. It offers a two- to four-hour guided tour through additional galleries, with detailed explanations. Check whether the tour is available before your trip; its stated duration can help you gauge the time needed for this activity.

Parks, Trails and Waterfalls

Parque Horto dos Contos has a 2.5-kilometer hiking trail in the historic center of Ouro Preto. If you plan to include this trail in your trip, check the conditions on site.

Rock formations and a group of scenic waterfalls shape the landscape of Parque Natural Municipal das Andorinhas. The park also offers natural pools, viewpoints and sport climbing. Check local conditions for trails and activities.

The Cachoeira das Andorinhas has a special connection to the landscape: it is considered the source of the Rio das Velhas and lies within Andorinhas Park. Together, the rock formations, waterfalls and natural pools offer a different travel experience from the churches and museums in the historic center.

Ouro Preto on the Estrada Real

The Estrada Real also places Ouro Preto within a broader route network. Spanning more than 1,600 kilometers of historic routes, it connects destinations including Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Ouro Preto, Diamantina and Sabará.

Discover more destinations: Sabará, Conceição Da Ibitipoca, Santa Luzia, Iguatama, Montezuma, Matias Barbosa, Patos De Minas, Juiz De Fora.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.