Ouro Preto walking tour & city guide

The colonial town

Tiradentes Square is the heart of town, named after the hero of an independence uprising. The São Francisco de Assis Church was designed by Aleijadinho, Brazil's greatest baroque sculptor, and the Nossa Senhora do Pilar Church is covered with hundreds of kilos of gold.

Visiting tips

The streets are very steep, so wear good shoes. Old gold mines can be visited. Nearby Mariana is another lovely colonial town.

A day in Ouro Preto

Start at Praça Tiradentes, the main square, then walk the steep cobbled streets to the Church of São Francisco de Assis, designed by Aleijadinho. The Church of Our Lady of the Pillar is covered with gold from the mines.

In the afternoon, visit an old gold mine, such as the Mina da Passagem nearby, or take the train to Mariana.

Getting around

Ouro Preto is built on very steep hills, and its cobbled streets can be slippery after rain, so wear shoes with good grip and take your time. The town is about two hours by road from Belo Horizonte. It is a lively university town, and the student houses called repúblicas give the evenings a young, friendly atmosphere. Easter week, with its carpets of colored sawdust laid on the streets, is the most spectacular time to visit.