SOUTHEAST | MINAS GERAIS
MINAS GERAIS
Minas Gerais state, translated as General Mines, reached
fame at the 18th and 19th centuries due to exploration of
gold and precious stones mines.
Due to the colonization, all the wealth extracted from
the cities of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Diamantina and many
others, was taken to Portugal. Nowadays there is still gold
to be found, not in the large quantities as before, and
precious stones are still one of the state’s main products
along with the extraction of iron and other minerals.
The cities of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas do Campo,
Tiradentes and São João del Rei kept their beauty
untouched through the years and are cherished today as
Belo Horizonte
Ouro Preto has been appointed by UNESCO as World
Monument for the importance of its baroque architecture
and sculptures.
The capital of the state is Belo Horizonte, founded in 1897,
it was the very first city in Brazil to have an urban planning
project.
The staple food of the state is the simple farm fare of
beans, cassava flour, kale, pork and homemade sweets and
cheeses.
Time: Brasilia’s official time
Average Annual Temperature: 23ºC
Climate: Tropical
Rainfall: November to April
Airports:
Confins - International Tancredo Neves, 40 km from downtown
Pampulha, 9 km from downtown
Created to replace Ouro Preto as the capital of the state
of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte is one of the few Brazilian
towns that were planned.
Belo Horizonte is the third largest city in Brazil and the
fourth city in the country in population with 2.3 million
inhabitants. The capital is also a gateway to historical
towns like Ouro Preto and Mariana.
Because it is a city that was actually planned, and also
because of its neoclassical and modern architectural
treasures and National Heritage Monuments.
Minas Gerais
features, Belo Horizonte can be regarded as a landmark
for town planning and for architecture in the country. A
fine example is the Pampulha center, the site of the first
revolutionary works of Oscar Niemeyer, the best known
Brazilian Architect.
The Pampulha also has works of the artist Candido
Portinari, the landscape architect Burle Marx and the
sculptor Ceschiatti and it includes the church of Saint
Francis of Assisi, the Belo Horizonte Museum of Art, the
Yacht Club, the Dancing Academy, the House of Juscelino
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SOUTHEAST | MINAS GERAIS
Kubitschek, the headquarters of the zoo-botanical
foundation, the Monument to Yemanjá and the Mineirão
and Mineirinho stadiums, registered as historic heritage.
Another of the important architectural works of Belo
Horizonte is the Palace of Liberty. Constructed in
neoclassical style, it is the result of the influence exercised
on Brazilian architecture by a French mission that visited
the country at the end of the last century.
Particularly interesting as places to be visited in the capital are
the Mineralogy and Historical Museums and the Palace of the
Arts, situated in the municipal park, with a modern theatre,
cinema, craft shop and space for exhibitions or plastic arts.
Nightclubs
Clube do Chalezinho | da Serra, 8
Bar & Lounge. Ideal place to see beautiful people, to flirt
and to have a drink.
Norma Jean | Rua Felipe dos Santos, 508
The place reproduces the English electric-sounds.
Vintage Lounge | Avenida Cristiano Machado, 1794
Modern architecture, contemporary decoration, two
ambiences: a lounge and the dance floor.
Where to go for a drink?
Going shopping
Alambique | Av. Raja Gabaglia, 3200 - Estoril.
Try one of Brazil’s best cachaças with one of the city’s best
view.
Centro de Artesanato Mineiro | Avenida Afonso Pena,
1537 - Parque Municipal
Located in the Palácio das Artes, it offers a wide range of
regional crafts.
Arrumação | Av. Assis Chateaubriand, 524 - Floresta.
Traditional bar built in an old colonial mansion. In the saloon
there are art expositions and comedy shows.
Krug Bier | Av. Paulo Camilo Pena, 736 – Belvedere
Choperia: here is where you can enjoy the best draught beer
of the town.
Antiques Fair | Av. Bernardo Monteiro
On Saturday morning, Av. Bernardo Monteiro is the site of
antiques fair and food market, offering a taste of mineiro
cusine.
Bahia Shopping | Rua da Bahia, 1022 - Centro
Good place to shop for clothing. Many shops sell designer
togs for men and women in Belo Horizonte’s most exclusive
mall.
Eating out
Aurora | Rua Expedicionário Mário Alves de Oliveira, 421 – S. Luis
Contemporary cuisine. The restaurant was adapted in a residential house at a noble area. It has outside tables and a salon
overlooking the garden.
A Favorita | Rua Santa Catarina, 1235 – Lourdes
Always very full, especially at happy hour time, when everyone wants a table in the verandah. Relaxed atmosphere and good
quality services.
Chico Mineiro | Rua Alagoas, 626 - Savassi
Regional cuisine. Dining Minas Gerais style means ample portions of such hearty dishes as “tutu à mineira”, the local equivalent
of meat and potatoes.
Ambrosio’s Grill | Av. Getúlio Vargas, 880 – Savassi
Well located, nice atmosphere and good services.
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SOUTHEAST | MINAS GERAIS
Shows
Chevrolet Hall | Av. Nossa Senhora do Carmo, 230 Savassi
Music hall with varied performances.
Liverpool Pub | AInconfidentes, 1141 – Savassi
From Thursdays to Saturdays it has live shows of pop-rock.
Services & Tours
BHZ 01 (A) | Transfer in/out
One way transfer to or from Tancredo Neves (Confins)
International Airport, including assistance and porterage (2
pieces per person).
BHZ 02 (B) | Transfer in/out
One way transfer to or from Pampulha Domestic Airport,
including assistance and porterage (2 pieces per person)
“
Enjoy what is left from
the Golden Era in Minas
Gerais State.
BHZ 03 | HD City Tour
City Tour (3 hours) – Today with 2.3 million inhabitants,
it has become the third largest city of the country and
renowned industrial, commercial and political center. Tour
visits the city passing by residential areas reaching Pampulha
district, famous for its integrated project that puts together
3 world renowned artists: Oscar Niemeyer’s first public
”
buildings; Roberto Burle Marx and his integrated Gardens and
landscaping and Candido Portinari that painted the interior
of the Saint Francis of Assisi church. Besides this church, the
Pampulha area also houses the Art Museum, Yacht Club, Soccer
Stadium and the Minas Gerais University Campus.
BHZ 04 | FD Ouro Preto with Lunch
Full Day Ouro Preto Tour (9 hours): The highlights of a visit
to Ouro Preto are: The church of St. Francis of Assisi (a
masterpiece of Brazilian religious architecture, designed
and sculpted in wood and soapstone by Aleijadinho), the
Museum of the School of Mines and the Church of Our
Lady of Pilar (that marked the culmination of Golden Age
architecture, with carved works painted entirely in gold).
Visit to Casa dos Contos - the Mint, a beautiful 18th century
building that houses today a collection of gold coins of
the colonial period. Lunch will include typical dishes of the
region: Feijão Tropeiro and Tutu à Mineira (two different
dishes using beans).
Important: most churches and museums close on Mondays
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