Historic Town of Ouro Preto
Overview
Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.
About Historic Town of Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto, formerly Vila Rica, is a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The city, a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its Baroque colonial architecture. Ouro Preto used to be the capital of Minas Gerais from 1720 until the foundation of Belo Horizonte in 1897.
Read more on WikipediaSelection Criteria
(i)(iii)
Components(1 location)
Details
- Countries
- Brazil
- ISO Codes
- BR
- Area
- 167.8 ha
- Coordinates
- -20.3889, -43.5056
Stay Nearby
Historic Town of Ouro Preto
Attractions & Tickets
Historic Town of Ouro Preto
Getting Here
Historic Town of Ouro Preto