Minas Gerais region

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The main part of the country's architectural heritage of Baroque period is concentrated in the state of Minas Gerais. Particularly interesting are historical cities around Ouru Preto

The main part of the country's architectural heritage of Baroque period is concentrated in the state of Minas Gerais. Particularly interesting are historical cities around Ouru Preto. Belo Horizonte is the capital of Minas Gerais. There are a lot of interesting museums there: Abilio Barretto Historic Museum, the Palace of Liberty, Brazilian religious center of Congonhas do Campo in 80 km. away from the city with the famous "cross road" of the 78 statues, the Church of Our Lady and the Museum of gold in Sabara, the museum city of Sao Joao del Rei, Tiradentes Village Museum, Casino.
Not far from Belo Horizonte is no less interesting Ouro Preto (“Black Gold”) - the capital of gold-diggers and treasure hunters. It is listed in a World Heritage List by UNESCO now. The main sights here are: The Church of St. Francis (1766-1794 ), Conception of the Virgin Mary church (1727) with the tomb and the museum of Aleijadinho, the great architect, Our Lady of Pilar church (1711), Carmo (1766), Santa Iphigenia dos Pretos (1733), Mersesh de Cima, City Hall (XIX cent.), the Municipal Theater, Itakolomi, Kashoeyra do Falcao, Tripuy and Estrada-Real Parks, as well as numerous museums – of Mineralogy, of Resistance, etc.
In old days they used to say, that in Ouro Preto there were more churches than houses, and this is not far from truth. Perhaps it is slightly exaggerated, but there are - 13 churches, 6 chapels and the same number of colonnades in the town. During the years of Gold Rush religious buildings were erected by wealthy people and nobles, who competed between themselves in luxury, and chose the most splendid of architectural styles – Baroque under an influence of the Jesuits.