Day Trip to Mariana & Congonhas

Embark on a captivating journey through history with our Mariana and Congonhas excursion, unraveling the pivotal role these cities played in the Brazilian Gold Route and exploring the masterpieces of the renowned Minas Gerais artist, Aleijadinho.

Tour itinerary: Congonhas and Mariana excursion

We'll pick you up at your hotel in Ouro Preto at the scheduled time and initiate our expedition to Mariana and Congonhas.

Our first stop is Congonhas, a 17th-century city with a rich history. We will begin at the Sanctuary of the Lord Good Jesus of Matosinhos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, known for its architectural significance and history as a colonial-era pilgrimage center.

In the courtyard, you'll find remarkable sculptures of the Twelve Prophets of the Old Testament created by Aleijadinho. We will also visit the chapels of Passos da Paixão de Cristo, depicting the Passion of Christ and highlighting Aleijadinho's legacy. Our exploration concludes at Congonhas' museum.

After a one-hour lunch break at a local restaurant, we will continue to Mariana, the former capital of Minas Gerais. Tour the Minas Gerais Square with its colonial-era monuments, including the Pelourinho and the Casa de Câmara e Cadeia.

We will then visit the Cathedral, known as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in 1703, and the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church, which showcases rococo architecture. Lastly, we'll explore the Passagem mine for insights into precious metals extraction.

After nine hours of exploration, we will return to Ouro Preto, concluding our tour.