Itineraries
[one day]
Upon arrival in Mariana, organize your visit by chronological order of
the construction of temples in order to understand the development of
architecture and interior decorating. Firstly, get to know the Baroque
manifestations in the Cathedral followed by the Rococo of the Third
Order of Saint Francis of Assis Church.
First visit:
Catedral Sé – Nossa Senhora da Asunção
Sé Cathedral – Our Lady of Assumption
It is one of the most important 18th Century temples in Minas Gerais. It
is home to admirable Baroque altarpieces in National Portuguese and
Joanino styles, a screen from the master Ataíde and the most beautiful
windshield of Minas Gerais. It possesses in its collection a precious 1702
Arp Schnitger organ.
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
Address: praça Cláudio Manuel
Phone: 3557-1216
Open Hours: from Tuesdays to Sundays 8:00 to 17:00
Foto capa: Divanildo Marques
1.
Foto: Diogo Gazola
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
Arp Schnitger organ concert
Make plans to watch an unforgettable concert
Fridays at 11:00; Sundays at 12:15
2.
Fotos: Sérgio Freitas
After inebriating yourself with the refined engravings of the
Cathedral, enter the rua Direita in order to appreciate its
architectural complex. Located at number 35 is the House of
Alphonsus de Guimarães Museum. Pay attention also to the
beautiful multi-storey house of the Baron de Pontal, which has
sculpted schist balconies that form a beautiful tracery, unique in
all of Brazil.
Barão de Pontal - Manuel Ignácio de
Mello e Souza, natural from Portugal,
graduate by Cimbra University.
Fotos: Maria Lucia Dornas
Foto: Diego Gazola
Going up rua Dom Silvério until the praça Minas Gerais, you
will find one of the most famous panoramas of Minas Gerais –
the two temples of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi
and Our Lady of Carmo. Imposing, facing one another, this is
the materialization of the rivalry between the two orders,
which housed the elite in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Integrated in the architectural collection of the square are the
building of the Council Town and Jailhouse and the Pillory.
It is now time to become acquainted with Rococo, the predominant style in
Minas in the second half of the 18th Century.
6.
Foto: Henry Yu
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Church of Saint Francis of Assis
The delicate decoration of the church is from the Rococo period. Master
Ataíde, the greatest painter of Brazilian colonial art, responsible for the
beautiful painting in the sacristy’s lining, is buried in lot number 96.
Address: praça Minas Gerais
Open Hours: Mondays to Sundays, from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to
17:00
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Church of Our Lady of Carmo
The facade possesses vigorous Rococo decoration, but the elegant inside
ornamentation was lost in a fire in 1999. A few years later, this temple received
first-rate restoration adaptations.
Foto:Diego Gazola
Open Hours: Mondays to Sundays, from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00
7.
Foto: Maurício Cardim
Foto: Diego Gazola
Foto: Danielli Vargas
Foto: Diego Gazola
Foto: Divanildo Marques
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
Casa de Câmara e Cadeia
Council Town and Jailhouse
This is one of the most beautiful buildings of mineira colonial architecture.
The construction of this building, which still houses the Council Town,
began in 1782.
Open Hours: Mondays to Fridays, from 8:00 to 18:00; Weekends and
Holidays, from 9:00 to 16:00
Pelourinho
Pillory
A rare piece of art, found in few cities. It was constructed in 1872 and
measures around 5 metres. On its upper part is the Imperial crest and
arms which hold a sword and scale, symbols of Justice.
Finishing up the visit to the attractions in praça Tiradentes, go down São
Francisco Lane, located right next to the church. Once there, visit house
number 20, which, according to legend, acted as residence of the
governor Dom Pedro de Almeida, the feared Count of Assumar.
A few metres ahead are the Saint Francis Fountain, on the left, and the
praça Gomes Freire, with beautiful mansions, on the right. Located in the
square is another fountain.
Turn left onto the Frei Durão Street for the next visit which can’t be
missed.
9.
Museu Arquidiocesano
Archdiocesan Museum
This museum was created to preserve the memory and culture of Minas,
through the inheritance of the mineira colonial art. There are around 1500
pieces distributed throughout the museum, which reveal all of the religious
life of the mineiros in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Address: rua Frei Durão, 49
Phone: 31 3557-2581
Open Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to
17:00
Following rua Frei Durão, you arrive once again at praça Cláudio Manoel and
the Sé Cathedral.
You can now take advantage of the time to have a look at the handicraft and
souvenir shops.
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
Foto: Maria Lucia Dornas
This visit lasts about two and a half hours, and it is possible to join it with a
visit to Ouro Preto. However, if you have more time enrich your visit to the
first capital, town, city and Bishopric headquarters of Minas. Ideally, reserve
an entire day for these visits.
.
Stay Tuned!
Few attractions open on Mondays. In the months of January and July
some churches open on Monday.
Wear comfortable shoes, these sites have many steep streets and
uneven paveme nts.
In almost all the attractions you need to save the bags and is not
allowed to photograph the interior.
Visitation rates are charged.
To complete information about the monuments
and touristic services consult the page of Mariana
on descubraminas.com
11.
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
Foto: Danielli Vargas
Foto: Maria Lucia Dornas
Foto: Maria Lucia Dornas
Foto: Sérgio Freitas
How to get to the region
From Belo Horizonte – Mariana: 110 km
BR-040 – in the direction of Rio de Janeiro until the interchange with the BR 356
BR-356 – rodovia dos Inconfidentes until Ouro Preto
There are two options:
Option 1
BR-040 – in the direction of Rio de Janeiro until the interchange with the BR 356
BR-356 – rodovia dos Inconfidentes until the entrance of Mariana
Option 2
BR-040 – in the direction of Rio de Janeiro until the interchange with the BR 356
BR-356 – rodovia dos Inconfidentes until Ouro Preto
In Ouro Preto, continue along the rua Conselheiro Quintiliano
From Rio de Janeiro – 475 km
There are two options:
Option 1
BR-040 – in the direction of Belo Horizonte until the interchange with
the BR 356
BR-356 – rodovia dos Inconfidentes – Enter the interchange to Mariana,
3 km before Ouro Preto
Option 2
BR-040 – in the direction of Belo Horizonte until the interchange with
the city of Ouro Branco
Continue along the “Estrada Real” until the district Cachoeira do
Campo, follow BR 356/ rodovia dos Inconfidentes – take the interchange
to Mariana – 3 km before Ouro Preto
Foto:Maria Lucia Dornas
From São Paulo – 675 km
BR-381 – Fernão Dias
BR-040 – in the direction of Rio de Janeiro until the interchange with
the BR 356
BR-356 – rodovia dos Inconfidentes until Ouro Preto
15.
Mapa: Edison Vilela
Gastronomy
In this region, the visitor can appreciate the most famous and delicious
dishes of the mineira culinary.
Feijão-tropeiro
Beans mixed with cassava flour and bacon. It is accompanied by
sausage and/or pork and egg. It is served with rice and strung kale.
Tutu de feijão
Blended beans thickened with cassava flour. It is accompanied by
sausage and/or pork and boiled eggs. It is served with rice and strung
kale.
Frango com quiabo
Stewed chicken with diced okra. Served with rice and polenta.
Frango ao molho pardo
Chicken in a sauce prepared with the chicken’s own blood. It is served
with rice and polenta.
Bambá de couve
A seasoned corn broth with small pieces of pork and/or bacon with
strung kale.
Goiabada cascão
This dessert made of guava is produced in the district of São
Bartolomeu. It is known in some English-speaking countries as guava
cheese or guava paste. This particular kind contains pieces of actual
guava fruit in the “cheese/paste”.
Doce de leite
Cream-like or in chopped pieces. In the region, one can try this
wonderful caramel-coloured candy that is milk-based.
16.
Shopping
The best options for those who wish to purchase regional products are:
Soap Stone handicraft.
Sisal Carpets
Paintings, made by excellent artists can be bought in many galleries
Cachaça: this region is the most famous for producing and
commercializing cachaças of the finest quality.
17.
Events
Principal events:
Carnaval – dates vary
Semana Santa – dates vary
Corpus Christi – May
Mês de Maria – May
Festival da Vida – May
Festival de Inverno (Winter Festival) – July
Festa de Mariana – Dia de Minas Gerais – 16th of July
Festa de São Roque – Second half of August
Iron Biker – October
General Information
Secretary of Tourism and Culture
praça Tancredo Neves
Phone: 31 3557-1158
Tour Guide Association
praça Tancredo Neves
Phone: 31 3557-1158
Foto:Braúlio Mendonça
Bus Station
rodovia dos Inconfidentes, Km 72
Phone.: 31 3557-1373