Lesson 14:
Mariana
Mariana is the oldest city in Minas Gerais.
Take the opportunity to wander around the rich churches and colonial architecture on foot. Each year on 16 July Mariana hosts the Governor of Minas Gerais and again becomes the State’s capital for a day.
Attractions
- Praça Minas Gerais, Church of São Francisco de Assis, Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Casa de Camara
- Basilica de Sé Cathedral
- Mina de Ouro da Passagem (Gold Mine)
- Maria Fumaça Steam Train tour to Ouro Preto
- Cathedral of Nossa Senhora de Assunção, especially the Arp Schnitger organ, built in 1701 in Germany and installed in Mariana in 1753 as a gift from the Portuguese Crown; today, it is the only copy of Schnitger’s 30 organs that still exist outside of Europe
Facts:
- Average temperature: 19 °C
- Nearest airport: Belo Horizonte
- Distances between destinations:
Belo Horizonte 116 kilometres Ouro Preto 15 kilometres