11 Epic Reasons to Visit Ouro Preto, Brazil at Least Once

Whether building design gets you in a spin or not, almost everyone will appreciate the spectacular architecture in Ouro Preto from charming colonial houses to impressive Baroque-style churches.

After the Portuguese colonizers discovered gold in Minas Gerais in the late 17th century, Ouro Preto soon became one of Brazil’s wealthiest and largest towns. Its a place rich in history marked by events such as slavery, the Gold Rush, an attempted revolution, and the birth of Aleijadinho, one of Ouro Preto’s – and indeed, Brazil’s – greatest sculptors and artists.

Ouro Preto has a huge number of churches, many of which are intricately designed and heavily decorated with gold inside. During the Gold Rush, the Portuguese would try to export a large portion of the gold back to the royal family and to Portugal, with the exception of gold used for religious monuments. The locals, not wanting to see their native gold leaving Brazil, constructed several churches embellished with gold as a way of keeping their riches in the country.

With such a deep and complex history, it’s unsurprising that Ouro Preto has several fascinating museums. Among them are the Casa Guignard museum dedicated to the life of Alberto da Veiga Guignard, a Brazilian painter and designer from the 20th century; the Pharmacy museum which explores medicine used between the 19th and 20th century; and the Inconfidência museum which tells the story of the unsuccessful revolution for Brazilian independence in 1789.

While Rio de Janeiro and Salvador are globally-known for carnival, everyone in Brazil knows Ouro Preto also has an unforgettable carnival. With the town’s large university student population, Ouro Preto’s event promises all-day street parties and late-night live shows.

Although Ouro Preto’s gold sources have been depleted, you can still visit the Minas de Passagem gold mine and take a guided tour on an old cable car while learning about its history. Opened in 1719, today it’s the largest gold mine open to the public in the world. Located in Mariana, a small town on the outskirts of Ouro Preto, it’s close enough to take a day trip there.

The food in Minas Gerais is the comfort food of Brazil. Loaded with carbs and fat, it’s not light but that’s exactly what makes it so delicious. Foods to try include tutu de feijão (beans mixed with bacon, sausage, and tapioca), frango ao molho pardo (chicken cooked in a chicken blood sauce, which is far nicer than it sounds), and the famous Minas cheese, a soft white cheese best served with guava paste.

Thanks to its incredible architecture and intriguing history, Ouro Preto was the first town in Brazil to be awarded the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Known for its mountainous landscapes and incredible views, the Itacolomi National Park sits on the outskirts of Ouro Preto and is a popular destination for hikers who can enjoy a varied network of treks and dozens of waterfalls to visit. Among the most challenging yet rewarding hikes is the Itacolomi peak, one of the highest points in the area.

Aleijadinho is considered one of Brazil’s greatest sculptors and artists, and many of Ouro Preto’s stunning architectural designs were his masterpieces. Although his work can be found all throughout the city, especially the churches, you can see a collection his sculptures in the Museum of Aleijadinho.

Ouro Preto is a great base point to explore other nearby attractions too. As well as Belo Horizonte, the state’s thriving capital known for its lively bar and pub culture, and Inhotim, an interactive outdoor art gallery set in an exotic botanical garden, there are also dozens of small towns nearby that each have their own unique characteristics. Culture Trip complied a list of Minas Gerais’ most beautiful towns which you can find here.