Mina da Passagem
Said to be one of the largest gold mines open to visitors in the world, where you ride a mine car down to 120 meters underground and see an underground lake.
The gold mine was first worked in 1719. It closed in 1985 and was then turned into a visitor mine. Visitors descend about 120 meters by inclined-track mine car to the tunnels, where a guide leads them past the veins, old equipment, and a clear underground lake. Some divers can book a dive in the lake. The tour takes about one hour, and admission is about 100 reais. The tunnels are around 17°C. The mine lies between Ouro Preto and Mariana, about 8 km from each.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Praça Minas Gerais, Mariana
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Mariana
- Itacolomi State Park
- Capela do Padre Faria
- Church of Santa Efigênia
- Mina do Chico Rei
- Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Antônio Dias
- Soapstone Craft Fair (Largo de Coimbra)