Vila Rica do Ouro Prêto, which means Black Gold, is a town that was the centre of Brazil's 17th century gold rush. The name translates as "Rich Village of Black Gold", though today it is simply called Ouro Prêto. It is located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains. After the gold had been mined, the town went into decline, but its beautiful churches, bridges and fountains, built during its "golden age", remains today as a legacy of the gilded past. They are also an immortalized creative testimony of the talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.
The town of Ouro Prêto was founded towards the end of the 17th century. As it became the centre for gold mining, it was a prosperous town, and this is reflected in its architecture. Many of the historic buildings survive till today, thanks to an economic decline that helped to preserve the old buildings from "urban renewals". The architecture in Ouro Prêto is described as Barroco Mineiro, a baroque revivial style that is reflected in the work of sculptors such as Aleijadinho, who created many of the sculptures in town.
Ouro Prêto was where the unsuccessful fight for independence from Portugal was hatched. Its leader, Tierdentes, was hanged to prevent future attempts. The town was the capital of the state of Minas Gerais from 1822 until 1897, when the need for administrative space required a new capital city. Belo Horizonte, a new planned city, took over as capital of Minas Gerais in 1897.
World Heritage Site Inscription Details
Location: S 20 23 20 W 43 30 20 in the State of Minas Gerais
Inscription Year: 1980
Type of Site: Cultural Inscription Criteria: I, III
Your base for visiting this World Heritage Site is the city of Belo Horizonte. You may have to enter Brazil via Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, and transit to Belo Horizonte. From there, you can make the arrangement, either on your own or through a travel agency, to go to Ouro Prêto. As part of the preparations, here are hotels in the different cities with online booking facilities.
From Belo Horizonte, you can take a bus to Ouro Preto. There are many departures per day.
Getting around
Walk. The old town is small enough to be explored on foot.
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Disclaimer
This website celebrating the World Heritage Sites is a hobby website that is not in any way connected to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and is not associated in any way with it. Any mention of UNESCO on this website is intended to describe the inscription and recognition of the World Heritage Sites by the institution, and does not in any way imply that UNESCO endorse the description and information provided.
