Ouro Preto is a colonial mining town in the state of Minas Gerais, in south-eastern Brazil. Its name means "black gold" in Portuguese, and the town was also known as Vila Rica. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it preserves much of the character of Brazil's colonial gold rush era.
What to expect
The town is best experienced on foot. Its streets are steep and paved with cobblestones, so comfortable shoes are a practical choice. Walking through them brings you past buildings in the baroque style that defined the period, and the setting feels largely unchanged from its colonial past.
- Historic churches, which are among the town's most notable features
- Baroque architecture throughout the town centre
- Steep, winding cobblestone streets that reward slow exploration
Planning your visit
Ouro Preto is located at the address Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000, Brazil. For questions before you travel, you can call +55 31 3559-3269. Because the town is compact and its heritage is concentrated in the centre, a visit suits a day or more of walking, with time to stop in the churches and at viewpoints over the surrounding hills.
For visitors interested in Brazilian history, Ouro Preto offers a direct look at how gold shaped the region's towns and culture during the colonial period. It is a place to slow down, look closely at the architecture, and take in the atmosphere of a town that has kept its historic form.
