"São João del Rey" São João del Rei by elsadran

Historical Center

São João del Rey is an interesting city of almost 90,000 people right in the heart of south Minas Gerais. It has an altitude of 860m above sea level so the climate is pleasant although it can bring a lot of rains.
It was founded in the 18th century. Tiradentes, the national hero, and Tancredo Neves, an elected President of Brazil who died before coming to office, were born near here.
This was the scenery in the “War of the Emboadas” (1708-09), when the “bandeirantes” from São Paulo fought against the Portuguese and other Brazilians who, when they heard about the discovery of gold, flocked into the region to control the area. The “Inconfidencia Mineira” also used to meet here and the houses of their meeting places are still preserved.

Maria Fumaça

The tourist train, Maria Fumaça runs to Tiradentes through a beautiful landscape.
São João del Rey didn't stay frozen in time. It developed to a busy industrial city with modern everyday life.
Art has always been present in São João. Today there are artisans making pewter utensil and tableware.
Local gastronomy includes delicious typical dishes and homemade sweets and desserts.

It is 185 km from Belo Horizonte and 330 km from Rio de Janeiro.You can use it as a base to other pretty and interesting places around. The most important of them are Tiradentes, Bichinho, Resende Costa, a weaving center, Prados with its wooden sculptures, Colonel Xavier Chaves with handmade laces and its fine cachaça, Lagoa Dourada and more.

For more photos go to the Travelogue!