Located in the southeastern region of Brazil, next to the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is the fourth largest state in territorial extension, with 586.522,122 square kilometers. Temperatures in this region range from 20°C/68°F in the summer to 13°C/55°F during the winter.
Between the months of April and September when it hardly rains.
The state of Minas Gerais is known for its good typical cuisine, and it is also the state that hosts 70% of Brazil's cultural heritage. When walking through the streets of its beautiful colonial cities, it is possible to go back in time remembering the cycle of gold, slavery and the revolutionary ideals of the Inconfidência Mineira. The state has the largest baroque collection in Brazil, known throughout the world for the works of artists Aleijadinho and Ataíde.
Belo Horizonte: the state capital, a modern, bustling city full of bars and restaurants. One of the most attractive neighborhoods in this corner of Brazil is Pampulha, designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Here is located the Church of S. Francisco de Assis, with its parabolic arches and its beautiful paintings of Candido Portinari, which decorate the exterior.
Ouro Preto: former capital of the state of Minas Gerais, it was built in a series of mountains, and is the owner of the largest architectural group of the Brazilian Baroque. The streets are narrow, curved, steep and flanked by the 18th century houses, some of which are now bars, restaurants and craft shops. In small squares, there are beautiful baroque churches, among them the Church of S. Francisco de Assis, whose front panels, wear the image of the saint of the same name, is believed to be the first great sculpture of the master Aleijadinho.
Tiradentes: the city was named after its distinguished resident Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, one of the leaders of the first movement of Brazilians independence. Here, multicolored Portuguese houses and baroque miniature churches populate the steep slopes paved with stones. Every corner has a good gourmet restaurant, a small cafe and a craft shop, perfect to refuel and purchase a beautiful object in soapstone.
Congonhas: a small town with a magnificent set of baroque works made by the famous artist Aleijadinho (Antônio Francisco Lisboa). At the entrance of the Sanctuary Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, built in the mid-eighteenth century, twelve original-size prophets carved by the artist welcome visitors. It is for this reason that Congonhas is known as the city of the prophets.
São João del Rei: located 30km away from the city of Tiradentes, it has beautiful churches, old mansions and a charming colonial center. What most attracts tourists in this city is the Church of S. Francisco de Assis, with curved facade and vaulted ceiling, in the middle of a square with imperial palms.