City of Mariana

Mariana

It was in the late 17th century that Bandeirantes discovered large amounts of gold in a river, which they gave the name of Ribeirão de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

They built a chapel, giving rise to a settlement that would develop into Mariana, the first village established in the captaincy of Minas Gerais. Even after losing the throne of capital of the captaincy to Vila Rica (now Ouro Preto) in 1720, the city did not lose its relevance.

In 1745, the settlement named Vila Real de Nossa Senhora ascended to the category of city and earned the name of Mariana, in tribute to Queen Maria Ana of Austria, wife of Portuguese King Dom João V.

At the time, an unprecedented urban project designed by military engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim transformed the urban landscape of the city, populating it with streets in straight lines and large rectangular plazas. It was the first planned city of Minas Gerais.

Today whoever walks through the sumptuous colonial mansions finds rich adornments and soapstone balconies, as well as majestic churches, such as the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sé (or Our Lady of the Assumption), at Praça de Minas Gerais, features a modest facade, but it is one of the richest temples in the country. In addition to their altars carved by Portuguese artist Francisco Xavier de Brito, to everyone’s fascination, there’s an organ built by the german Arp Schnitger, still in full operation.

The House of Chamber and Jail building, built in 1782, was once a slave quarters, local gold cast house and first seat of Government of Minas.

The Passagem Mine, the largest gold mine open to visitors in the world, is also a tourist attraction of Mariana.

A trip not to be missed is to take the Maria Fumaça train to Ouro Preto. See the details.
Listed as national monument in 1945, Mariana is one of the brightest jewels of the historical mining circuit and a feast for those who love architecture, art and history.