The praça Tiradentes is the central point of the city; it is as if it were a divider. From that point, one can programme visits. Ouro Preto possesses steep slopes and it takes a considerable amount of time to traverse them. Walking is, however, the best way to get to know the city, which is an open-air museum, and to best observe it from different angles.

Ouro Preto [colonial mineira art]

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Case Liner Ig. St. Francis of Assisi - Photo: Sergio Freitas

This visit involves a certain geographic difficulty, but it is much more interesting to accompany the evolution of 18th Century mineira art.

Right side Facing the Museu da Inconfidência– known as the Paróquia do Pilar (Pillar Parish)

Left side Facing the Museu da Inconfidência – known as the Paróquia do Pilar (Pillar Parish)

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo – Church of Our Lady of the Carmo Teatro Municipal – Municipal Theatre Museu Guignard – Guignard Museum Casa dos Contos – House of Tales Chafariz dos Contos – Fountain of Tales Matriz do Pilar / Museu de Arte Sacra – Museum of Sacred Art Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário – Church of Our Lady of the Rosary Igreja São Francisco de Paula – Church of Saint Francis of Paula Igreja de São José – Saint Joseph Church Igreja Nossa Senhora das Mercês – Church of Our Lady of Mercy Igreja de São Miguel e Almas – Church of Saint Michael and Souls

Igreja de São Francisco de Assis – Church of Saint Francis of Assisi Feira de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair) Residência de Thomaz Antônio Gonzaga Residência Cláudio Manoel da Costa Matriz Nossa Senhora da Conceição / Museu do Aleijadinho (Aleijadinho Museum) Capela Nossa Senhora das Dores Igreja de Santa Ifigênia – Church of Saint Ephigenia Igreja do Rosário – Church of the Rosary

Cultural Itinerary - Colonial mineira art For those who wish to get to know mineira colonial art well, a good suggestion is to organize a trip based on chronological order. Get to know the temples of the first half of the 18th Century, where alters of the National Portuguese and joanino periods can be observed.

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National Portuguese Period, the authenic Portuguese Baroque In Minas: 1696 to 1730/35 Characteristics: curved columns, profuse engravings, symbolic decorative elements – pelicans, phoenix, floral motives, dark colours and gilding. Many exotic figures.

Joanino or Dom João V Period In Minas: 1730/35 to 1760 Characteristics: solomonic columns, many angels, helixes, dossals, intense gilding, niches with Saints, evasion of empty spaces.

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Mother Church of Our Lady of the Pillar – exemple of joanino period in Minas

Fotos: Sérgio Freitas

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Pilar (Paróquia Pilar) Church of Our Lady of the Pillar (Pillar Parish) One of the most exuberant temples of Minas Gerais. It originates in the apogee of Baroque decoration, providing a dramatic effect for the senses. It contains works of art of Francisco Xavier de Brito, the Portuguese sculptor who introduced joanino in Minas Gerais. The Museum of Sacred Art functions on the inside of this museum. Address: praça Monsenhor João Castilho Barbosa – (31) 3551-4736 Open Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, from 9:00 to 10:45 and from 12:00 to 16:45

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Inside details of Mother Church of Our Lady of the Pillar – Photos: Sérgio Freitas

Igreja Rosário dos Pretos (Paróquia Pilar) Church of the Rosary of the Blacks (Pillar Parish) Any itinerary dedicated to those who want to see colonial mineira art cannot miss the only church, in Ouro Preto, with true Baroque architecture. This splendid construction possesses authentic Baroque architecture. Its curved base and façade transform it into one of the wonders of 18th Century mineira art. Just this church and the Saint Peter of the Clerics, in Mariana, possess this characteristic in Minas Gerais, of being truly faithful to Baroque in their architecture. Address: praça do Rosário Open Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays, from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 12:30 to 16:45

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Foto: Sérgio Freitas

Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Paróquia Antônio Dias) Church of Our Lady of the Conception (Antônio Dias Parish) Located on the inside of this beautiful temple, with decoration of the transition between the Portuguese national and joanino period, is the tomb of the master Antônio Francisco Lisboa, o Aleijadinho. The Museu do Aleijadinho (Aleijadinho Museum) is located on the inside of this church. Address: praça Antônio Dias – (31) 3551-3282 Open Hours: Tuesdays - Saturdays, from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 13:20 to 17:00.

Fotos: Sérgio Freitas

Capela do Padre Faria – Rosário dos Homens Brancos (Paróquia de Antônio Dias Chapel of Father Faria – Rosary of White Men (Antônio Dias Parish) One of the most beautiful chapels in Ouro Preto, it possesses beautiful alters from the joanino period. The lining of the chapel alter in its Baroque perspective has somewhat of a special preciousness. Address: rua Padre Faria – Padre Faria Open Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, from 8:30 to 16:30

After getting to know, through extraordinary visits, the National Portuguese and Joanino styles which were used to decorate the mineiro temples in the first half of the 18th Century, it is time to

appreciate Rococo, the style that dominated the second half of the same century.

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Fotos: Maria Lucia Dornas

Rococo characteristics

Flowers, borders, wave-like ribbons

Paintings lined in an aerial perspective The painting of Minas Gerais reached its peak in the second

half of the 18th century.

Principal artists of the period: Aleijadinho, Ataíde, Francisco Vieira Servas.

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Examples of the painting from the Rococo period

1. Painting details of Church of Santo Antônio/ Santa Bárbara

Detail of the ceiling of the sacristy of Ig. S. Fco. de Assis / Mariana Fotos: Henry Yu

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Two temples perfectly illustrate this style. They are:

Igreja São Francisco de Assis (Paróquia Antônio Dias) Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Antônio Dias Parish) The great mineiro masters Aleijadinho and Athaíde left behind their Brazilian Rococo masterpieces. Rococo reached its maximum level of sophistication in the lining of the nave. Athaíde was, without a doubt, the great master of the colonial Brazil’s perspective painting. The architectural plot is light, made up of rocailles, delicate wreaths and angels that seem to float within the grace of vivid colours. Address: praça Coimbra – (31) 3551-3282 Open Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays, from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00

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Details of the painting of Mestre Ataíde – Ig. S. Fco de Assis

Fotos: Maria Lucia Dornas

Fotos: Maria Lucia Dornas

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Paróquia Pilar) Church of Our Lady of Carmo (Pillar Parish) The church imposes itself on the Ouro Preto landscape through its solidity and beauty. In this temple, the master Aleijadinho executed his final works of art. Address: rua Brigadeiro Musqueira, – (31) 3551-2601 Open Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 13:00 to 16:45 Museu do Oratório (Paróquia do Pilar) Oratory Museum (Pillar Parish) As a way of saving the best for last, we propose that you visit the Museu do Oratório, which is next to the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Considered to be the only museum of its kind in the world, it is one of the most beautiful in Minas Gerais. It houses a fantastic collection of oratories which date back to the 17th to 20th Centuries. They come in various forms, from the most humble to the most luxurious. For those who like art, it is a not-to-miss attraction.

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Fotos: Maria Lucia Dornas

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To the informations below consult the Itinararies Ouro Preto [one day]

How to get Gastronomy Shopping Events General Information

Accommodation Consult the list of hotels and lodging on Ouro Preto page, section destinations, on descubraminas.com.

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Foto: Maria Lucia Dornas

Stay Tuned! Do not forget to check the hours and days of operation of the attractions to make the most of your ride.