Juiz de Fora – Despite 600,000 inhabitants, Juiz de Fora brings to mind the small cities of the interior of Brazil. In the centre, Halfeld Park is a meeting point for residents who relax on benches and enjoy the trees and beauty of the fountains at the site. With the traditional bandstand in the centre, and surrounded by buildings that make up one of the most important architectural sets in the city, the site is just one among all those options to admire nature in this mountain city, located in the region called Zona da Mata (Bush Zone) in Minas Gerais.
For those who like green, the belvedere (Mirante) on BR-040 highway, ten kilometres away from the centre, is much sought by tourists interested in activities out in the open, as well as being another point from which you can view the mountains surrounding the city. For those who prefer a more urban view, Mirante São Bernardo (another belvedere) provides views of the main tourist points in Juiz de Fora.
Among the cultural attractions, one of the most visited is Mariano Procópio Museum, the first in the state of Minas Gerais. Open to visitation in 1915, the site houses around 52,000 objects and has one of the most complete collections from the Brazilian imperial period. Murilo Mendes Art Museum, in turn, is considered the main modern art collection in Minas Gerais. Connected to the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, the museum has around 300 items signed by artists like Pablo Picasso, Cândido Portinari and Joan Miró.
Visiting the centre of the city, it is possible to admire the architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral, a prominent site. It was built in 1847 and can seat some 1,000 people.
Juiz de Fora also offers great gastronomic options. At lunch time, one of the best choices is Berttu’s. With a varied menu, the site offers delicious meat, chicken or fish dishes, as well as options that are typical of the cuisine of Minas Gerais, including pork. The site has rustic architecture and offers excellent service.
In the evening, Assunta Forneria is an excellent place to meet your friends. It is slightly out of the way and the house cannot be seen from the street. But those who know where it is have access to an excellent restaurant built among stones, with tasty decoration and varied and well-made dishes.
To have good memories of the food of Minas Gerais, you cannot leave Juiz de Fora without sweets and cheese, delicacies that are typical of the region. If you are after milk sweet or white cheese, head to Salvaterra – Coisas da Roça. The shop also offers coconut, papaya, cider, guava sweets, as well as other flavours. There are also many cheese options and the shop also counts on several handicraft items that you can take so as not to forget this tasty trip.
Service
Parque Halfeld
Avenida Rio Branco, between Halfeld e Marechal Deodoro streets
Centre
BR-040 belvedere
KM 7974 of BR-040
São Bernardo belvedere
São Bernardo neighbourhood
Museu Mariano Procópio
Rua Mariano Procópio s/nº
Information: (+55 32) 3690-2233 and (+55 32) 3690-2004
Murilo Mendes Art Museum
Rua Benjamin Constant, 790 – Centro
Information: (+55 32) 3229-9070
Metropolitan Cathedral
Rua Santo Antônio, 1201 – Centro
Berttu’s
Rua Santo Antônio, 572 – Centro
Telephone: (+55 32) 3215-5026
Assunta Forneria
Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 221/301 – São Mateus
Information: (+55 32) 3236-5991 e (+55 32) 3236-5471
Site: www.assuntaforneria.com.br
Salvaterra – Coisas da Roça
Av. Deusdedit Salgado, access to BR- 040 (exit to Rio de Janeiro)
Telephone: (+55 32) 3236-1657 and (+55 32) 3236-2208
*Translated by Mark Ament