About Petrópolis

The historic city of Minas Gerais provides a true lesson in baroque art and culture. Its churches, museums and colonial mansions are worthy of your time. Taking a tour of the area will enrich your heart and mind, as you take in the many sights. Visitors can begin in Belo Horizonte, the State’s capital, passing through cities like Ouro Preto, Mariana, São João Del Rei, Tiradentes and Diamantina, among others. Each area offers its own history and flavor to your tour experience.

The city of Ouro Preto is 99 kilometers away from Belo Horizonte. The city was honored by Unesco for its qualities of, “Culture and Historical Human Heritage.” It has, by far, the best and most preserved collection of baroque art in Brazil. Tourists are attracted from all parts of the world, as the beauty offered at these sights is incomparable to any other.

To add to the city’s zeal, Ouro Preto is considered the country’s most important historic center. Its churches include the Museu da Inconfidência, the São Francisco Church and the Casa dos Contos. The city is located amongst hills and is famous for its slopes that end at the Pico do Itacolomi. In addition, its uneven topography allows for a number of hot spots for sightseeing, as visitors can easily overlook the churches and colonial homes from atop the area’s higher areas of land.

The rich, local gastronomy is another amazing feature. The dishes you’ll typically find in the region include black beans with bacon and manioc flower, and chicken with okra. There are also a number of other specialties, such as homemade sweets and liquors.