About Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte founded in 1897, was the first Brazilian city to use urban planning. Brazil's 3rd largest city, it is the home of 2.5 million inhabitants that contribute to its fast industrial development as the country's leading export in mineral ore, precious stones, diamonds, nickel and the plant of FIAT automobile manufacture.

Belo Horizonte's main attraction is the Pampulha residential district that surrounds a lake.

Juscelino Kubitschek, mayor of Belo Horizonte (developed this area in the 50's) and in the 60's, as President of Brazil, built Brasília.

Pampulha holds testimony to the first essays of 3 men who achieved world renown: Oscar Niemeyer, Roberto Burle Marx and Candido Portinari. Oscar Niemeyer, after this project dedicated his time to design Brasília and many other international projects. Roberto Burle Marx, a landscape artist, has several projects that are known by the public, such as the Copacabana sidewalks made of colored granite stones and Rio de Janeiro's Flamengo Park as well as several other landscape projects in Europe and private homes. Candido Portinari, a painter is recognized as one of Brazil's top artists and his contribution to public buildings, like the former Culture Ministry building in Rio de Janeiro - decorated tile panels at the entrance portico.

Belo Horizonte is the gateway to the Historical Cities of the state of Minas Gerais: the cities of Ouro Preto, (Vila Rica), São João del Rey, Tiradentes, Sabará, Congonhas do Campo and Diamantina, set in the mountains of Minas Gerais.

The "crown jewel" of the historical cities is Ouro Preto, 100 km from Belo Horizonte, at an altitude of over 3.900 ft colonial architecture in Brazil. Declared by UNESCO Cultural Patrimony of Mankind. The highlights of a visit to Ouro Preto are: Church of St.Francis of Assissi, a masterpiece of Brazilian religious architecture. Drafted and sculpted in wood and soapstone by Aleijadinho. Museum of the School of Mines: with a complete mineralogical view of Brazil, in addition to displays of geological artifacts from other countries. Church of Our Lady of Pilar: a church that marked the culmination of Golden Age architecture, with carved works painted entirely in gold. To have an idea of the richness of the Ouro Preto soil we can only say that the Imperial Topaz, one of our most beautiful and enviable stones is, to this day, only found in Ouro Preto. Casa dos Contos a beautiful 18th century building that houses today a collection of gold coins of the colonial period. Lunch will be a taste of typical Mineira dishes of the regions: Feijão Tropeiro and Tutu à Mineira (two different dishes using beans).