Diamantina Attractions
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Diamantina
Diamantina lies in the Jequitinhonha valley, in the heart of the sertão of Minas Gerais, some 200km/125mi as the crow flies north-east of Belo Horizonte. It is reached on BR 040 and BR 135 to Curvelo, then BR 259.
Bust Station
Largo Dom João
History
Diamantina developed out of a small treasure-seekers' settlement on the banks of the Tijuco, a tributary of the Rio Grande, and finally became the main center in this area of Minas Gerais with its numerous diamond mines - an area so rich in diamonds that even as a mere arrayal ("encampment") the place remained under the direct administration of the Crown, enjoyed no civil liberties and was confined to the exploitation of the deposits of precious stones.
Diamantina lies in the Jequitinhonha valley, in the heart of the sertão of Minas Gerais, some 200km/125mi as the crow flies north-east of Belo Horizonte. It is reached on BR 040 and BR 135 to Curvelo, then BR 259.
Bust Station
Largo Dom João
History
Diamantina developed out of a small treasure-seekers' settlement on the banks of the Tijuco, a tributary of the Rio Grande, and finally became the main center in this area of Minas Gerais with its numerous diamond mines - an area so rich in diamonds that even as a mere arrayal ("encampment") the place remained under the direct administration of the Crown, enjoyed no civil liberties and was confined to the exploitation of the deposits of precious stones.
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Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Built by a diamond dealer between 1758 and 1765, the church of Nossa Senhora do Camo is locally known as "Chica's church". The church exhibits a masterpiece painting by the artist Jose Soares de Araujo
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Chica da Silva's House
Chica da Silva's House was the home of a slave girl who became the mistress of a diamond dealer. The building today houses the Center for Afro-Brazilian Studies.
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