OURO PRETO
BLACK GOLD
HISTORIC GOLD MINING TOWN IN BRAZIL
Ouro Preto, or Black Gold was once called Vila Rica ( Rich Town) as it was one of the major areas of the Brazilian Gold Rush dating back to 1730.From 1720-1897 it was the capital of the State of Minas Gerais and in 1730 had a population of 40,000 and and as high as 100,000 over the next few decades. At one stage it had more people than New York (at the same time).It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first in Brazil (1980) Ouro Preto was the birthplace of Inconfidencia Mineira, a failed attempt to separate from Portugal lead by Tiradentes who was hanged for his trouble and his statue now stands in the Central Piazza of Ouro Preto, named after him.
The town is colorful and has cobbled streets that lines the steep hills
The twon had a number of beautiful churches, none more so that the Church of San Francisco de Assis just below the History Museum at the south end of the central square.
The hotel is just down one of the major streets off the manin square. It is a ten minute wald from the bus station down the hill to the township. It is a two hour bus ride from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto. The bus terminal in Belo Horizonte. Use this link for the bus company.
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