Ministério do Turismo

Mariana

Mariana was the first city, capital, village and the State diocese. It started out as a camping ground on the banks of the Carmo River in 1703, founded by Minas Gerais explorers looking for a strategic location in the gold rush that was underway in the region.

From a camping ground it became a Village, a few years later, and then, in 1745, it became a city. It was named Mariana in honor of Dona Maria Ana D’Austria, the wife of Don João V.

It was the birthplace of great talents such as Manuel da Costa Ataíde (a master of sacred paintings), Cláudio Manuel da Costa (poet and inconfidente (member of the Minas Conspiracy)), Frei Santa Rita Durão (author of the poem "Caramuru"), Father Joaquim da Rocha (inconfidente (a member of the Minas Conspiracy)), among others.

Mariana is located on the Gold Circuit, in the central tourism area of Minas Gerais. Most of its historical and cultural heritage is found on the city streets in big houses, squares and churches. The Barão do Pontal house enchants every visitor with its beautiful soapstone balconies. The Sé Cathedral and the Saint Francis Church have beautiful art works from the Minas colonial era.

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Basic information
Climate
It has an altitude tropical climate with a dry winter and mild summer. The average annual temperature is 18°C (64ºC).
Events
Old Carnaval Songs
In 2001 the city revived an old habit, the Old Carnaval Songs. These are bands formed of local musicians that go to bars, squares and around the city singing old Carnaval songs. There is also the Samba School parade on Salvador Furtado Avenue.

Holy Week
More than 10 thousand people visit the city at this time. On Good Friday, the faithful covered in sheets walk the historical downtown streets in the Soul Procession. The reenactment of Christ”s Passion is held on Thursday and Friday, in two parts. On Holy Saturday there are musical shows and the traditional burning of Judas. On Easter Sunday afternoon, the streets are covered with flower carpets made by the population.
City facts
Mariana
State: Minas Gerais
Region: Southeast
Population: 46,710 inhabitants
Area Code: (31)

Distances
Belo Horizonte: 107 km (66 miles)
Ouro Preto: 12 km (7,5 miles)
Barbacena: 224 km (139 miles)
Rio de Janeiro: 411 km (255 miles)
São Paulo: 625 km (388 miles)
Accommodation / Restaurants
Mariana”s inns are simple, but very heartwarming, housing the city”s historical architecture. There are many options with several price ranges. The city has many restaurants that preserve Minas” authentic spirit and seasonings. The places are very family-oriented and serve all types of food typical of the area such as tutu (beans, pork and manioca), very dry crackling (crisp, browned pork fat), tropeiro beans, polenta, and the traditional cheese bread. After eating too much, a good cachaça (sugar-cane rum) helps digestion. Check out some of the inn and restaurant options on the sites below:

http://www.idasbrasil.com.br/idasbrasil/cidades/Mariana/port/comer.asp
http://www.idasbrasil.com.br/idasbrasil/cidades/Mariana/port/ficar.asp
http://www.desvendar.com/cidades/mariana/ondeficar.asp
How to get there
By Air: the closest airport is Pampulha, in Belo Horizonte. Leaving Belo Horizonte, take BR 040 to the exit to Rodovia dos Inconfidentes (BR 356), towards Ouro Preto. From there, continue on to Mariana, which is 18 km (11 miles) away.

By Highway:
Main access roads:
- Starting from Brasília: BR-040/BR-356
- Starting from Rio de Janeiro: BR-040/BR-356
- Starting from São Paulo: BR-381/BR-265/BR-040
- Starting from Espírito Santo: BR-262/BR-329
Services
Tourism Portal: +55 (31) 3558-5455
Tourism Terminal: +55 (31) 3557-1158
Mariana City Hall: +55 (31) 3557-9000
Bus Station: +55 (31) 3557-1244


Bank Agencies
The city has all the main national bank agencies. Most of the establishments accept credit cards.
Related links
Mariana City Hall
www.mariana.mg.gov.br
Attractions
Sé Basilica or Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral
The Cathedral, with its simple architecture, just like the first Minas religious constructions, is part of a group of the most important and richest Minas churches. Its construction started in the beginning of the 18th century with the building of the primitive Our Lady of Conception chapel.

Saint Francis of Assisi Church
The mortal remains of Master Ataíde”s, born in Mariana, are kept in the church. The church”s nave and sacristy pictures, as well as the three images of the Passion (tabernacle, main altar, and Saint Isabel altar) were made by the artist. Aleijadinho left his influence on the bell towers and the façade line and on the soapstone pulpits.

Other churches and chapels
Mariana has an enormous number of churches and historical chapels that attract tourists for their beauty and symbolism. They are: Our Lady of Carmo, Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Peter of the Clerics, the Saint Francis of Cordões Archibrotherhood, Our Lady of Mercy, Saint Anthony Chapel, Saint Ann Chapel, Our Lady of the Good Death Chapel, Lord of Passos Chapel, Good Jesus of the Hill, Saint Caetano, Our Lady of Conception, Saint Teresa and Our Lady of Glory.

Barão de Pontal House
Its precious balconies are laced in soapstone, the only ones in Minas Gerais and perhaps Brazil. It was the residence of Manoel Inácio de Melo e Sousa, the Baron of Pontal, representative and president of the Minas Gerais province from 1831 to 1833.

Mine Passage
What is read in books about the gold exploration in Minas Gerais can be seen in the Mine Passage. To visit it is like traveling through history, living the saga and the dangerous destiny of men who were looking for gold in the mountains. From the beginning of its activities in the first half of the 19th century, until 1984, 35 tons of the precious metal were taken from this mine alone. It has ample rooms, 30 kilometers of tunnels and underground lakes with crystal clear waters, where people can practice scuba diving in the cave.

Pillory (Pelourinho)
The constructions are in the Minas Gerais Square and served as Jurisdiction Marks on which infringers were punished. Mariana”s original Pillory was made by José Moreira Matos in 1750 and it was demolished in 1871. The newer one was constructed in the 1970s. It has a globe on top, symbolizing the Portuguese sea victories. The left arm holds a scale representing Justice. The right one holds a sword, symbolizing condemnation. In the center there is the Portuguese Coat of Arms.

Museums
Mariana has two important museums. At the Archdiocesan it is possible to find a fabulous collection of objects used in religious ceremonies attributed to Aleijadinho and Manuel da Costa Ataíde. There are sculptures, silverware, furniture, jewelry, dresses, and paintings. The Alphonsus de Guimaraens Museum preserves the personal objects, files and library of the poet, writer and judge.


Shopping

Arts and Crafts Fair
The city has several types of arts and crafts that attract tourists for their beauty and perfection. The most requested are the pita rugs, the soapstone pans and the wooden sculptures. The fair is located in the city bus station and besides the arts and crafts it also offers sweets, liqueurs, cachaça, jellies, cheeses and butter directly from local producers.

Ateliês and Shops
Paintings, sculptures, and engravings can be found in the ateliês on the downtown city streets. Some of the highlights include Álvaro”s sacred sculptures (Gomes Freire Square, 48), Hélio Petrus” neo-baroque saints and engravings (R. Don Silvério, 122), Ladim Gamarano”s furniture (Rua João Pinheiro, 22), Zizi Sapateiro”s primitive paintings (Rua Santana, 52) and Layon”s canvas and baroque sculptures (Rua Don Silvério, 604).

Sculptures, rugs and soapstone
At the Cachoeira do Brumado district (23 km = 14 miles), Adão de Lourdes and Miramar Borges sculpt tailor-made wooden animals. The sisal rugs, produced by locals on a manual weave, can be found at the Tapeçaria Miriã. Preto”s factory sells soapstone pans and pizza pans. Because there are no signs indicating the street names, it is best to ask for information about how to get to the ateliês.

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