Praça Minas Gerais, Mariana
Praça Minas Gerais
Mariana's most classic square, enclosed by two Baroque churches, an old city hall that doubled as a prison, and stone pillories, preserving intact colonial character.
Mariana was the first town in Minas Gerais and its first capital. It is gentler and has fewer visitors than Ouro Preto. On Praça Minas Gerais stand the Church of São Francisco de Assis, where Aleijadinho is buried, and the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Facing them is the 18th-century city hall, which also served as a prison, along with its stone pillories. It is one of the most photogenic scenes of a Brazilian colonial town. The square is about 12 km from Ouro Preto, roughly 30 minutes by bus.
Opening hours
Open all day (church approx. 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Mariana
- Mina da Passagem
- Capela do Padre Faria
- Itacolomi State Park
- Church of Santa Efigênia
- Mina do Chico Rei
- Cachoeira das Andorinhas
- Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Antônio Dias