São Paulo – Stone streets and houses of the 18th Century are a blessing to the eyes and decorate the landscapes of Tiradentes and São João Del-Rei. In each one, images and objects tell and hold the story of the times of the Gold Rush. The rich details of the paintings, the luxurious altars of the churches and the rococo details of the facades of the houses make you travel in time. Both destinations seem more like scenographic cities and are among the most charming in the state of Minas Gerais.
Tiradentes, established in around 1702, presents the best preserved group of architectural sites among the historic cities and is crowded by tourists, especially during the great events it promotes.
There are attractions for all tastes. In January there is the Brazilian Cinema Exhibit, in February, street Carnival, in April, the Holy Week, in June, catholic parties like the Jubilee of the Holy Trinity, as well as a Classic Motorcycle Festival. In August comes the International Culture and Gastronomy Festival and, in October, the Ox Cart and Cowboy Party.
“Tiradentes is a city that breathes culture and lives 100% off tourism," said Felipe Barbosa, Culture and Tourism secretary in the city that has a population of 6,500 inhabitants and receives between 300,000 and 400,000 tourists a year.
Churches and chapels are seen all around the city. Among the most important and beautiful is Santo Antônio (St. Anthony) church. Completed in 1732, it received an organ brought from Portugal in 1788. A restoration process took place in 2002 and granted new colours to the church, which became the backdrop for a religious spectacle with sound and lights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
The neighbouring São João Del-Rei is known for the traditional religious parties, mainly during Holy Week. The city currently has 87,000 inhabitants and also has in tourism a great source of income, receiving around 150,000 tourists a year.
The city, apart from churches and houses, preserves some traditions like symphonic bands and religious ceremonies, like announcing all the great happenings by ringing church bells.
“We may say that our city arose in around 1695, when Tomé Portes Del-Rei came to the region with his committee and set himself up on the right bank of Mortes River, putting up a base there to aid travellers who crossed the area on their way to the mining grounds of Minas Gerais,” explained Ralph Justino, Culture and Tourism secretary of the city.
A compulsory stop in São João Del-Rei is São Francisco de Assis (St. Francis Assisi) church, considered the main church in terms of baroque art in the country and the only one in the city that was designed by artist Aleijadinho. Be careful not to invest all hours of your day looking at the details of the paintings.
On some special nights, the lights of colonial lamps in the historic centre show a mysterious São João Del-Rei. In its alleys arise stories that may be discovered by tourists and residents. The Cooperative of Tourist Guides of the city (Coopertur) has developed project “By Night Tour – Legends of São João”, which takes people to tourist points in the city, where there are enactments of the legends.
The tour takes about two hours. Those visiting São João by night may relive history in the where it took place. There are seven legends at seven different tourist points in the city.
“Storytelling was a habit of the resident of the small cities. Part of the legends, be they enacted or told, recover something that no longer exists, mainly in large cities," said Cristóvão Vitalino, the Coopertur representative.
According to him, the enactment has been taking place since 2007, always on the third Saturday of the month and on long holidays, and they generally attract from 40 to 80 people at each presentation. It is also possible to make extra presentations for groups of tourists.
Walks and waterfalls
Lovers of green and of adventure also have a full agenda in Tiradentes and São João Del-Rei. Apart from several outings and trails in the interior of the two cities, there is a cave with interesting geological formations that is close to both cities. The Stone House has large galleries that are open to the outside and form labyrinths. When illuminated, the interior of the cave allows those present to view corridors and halls full of stalactites, carved by nature over time.
Steam engine
One of the essential outings for those visiting Tiradentes and São João Del-Rei is travelling the 12 kilometres that separate both cities by train. Ferro Oeste de Minas Railway (Efom), inaugurated in 1881 by Emperor Peter II, is considered the first railway in the state, as the head offices of the others were in Rio de Janeiro.
The railway complex of São João Del-Rei was listed as a historic asset on August 3, 1989. With time, the ancient steam engine was replaced by one powered by diesel oil and the railway has never stopped operating. The attraction represents a unique opportunity to travel through history on board a centenarian train.
Contacts
Lendas de São João Del-Rei
Site: www.lendassj.com.br
Telephone: (+55 32) 8874-0458 or (+55 32) 8844-0245
Passeio de Maria Fumaça
Site: www.brasilviagem.com
Telephone: (+55 32) 3371-8485
*Translated by Mark Ament
