Sabara Attractions
Sabará
Sabará, 25km/16mi east of Belo Horizonte in the valley of the Rio das Velhas, developed out of a settlement established by the bandeirante Borba Gato, who discovered gold in the Rio das Velhas. In 1711 it became the administrative center of the Rio das Velhas area under the name of Vila Real de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Sabará.
Sabará, 25km/16mi east of Belo Horizonte in the valley of the Rio das Velhas, developed out of a settlement established by the bandeirante Borba Gato, who discovered gold in the Rio das Velhas. In 1711 it became the administrative center of the Rio das Velhas area under the name of Vila Real de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Sabará.
Nossa Senhora da Conceiça
N.S. da Conceição
On Praça Getúlio Vargas is the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1701-10), a typical example of Minas Baroque. Its rather heavy façade conceals a richly decorated interior with a golden altar and paintings on Chinese motifs.
On Praça Getúlio Vargas is the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1701-10), a typical example of Minas Baroque. Its rather heavy façade conceals a richly decorated interior with a golden altar and paintings on Chinese motifs.
Nossa Senhora do Carmo
N.S. do Carmo
The church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in Rua do Carmo, was begun in 1763. In 1771 Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho, created the façade and the soapstone emblem of the Carmelite order on the main doorway. He was also responsible for the carving on the side altars, the pulpits and the figures on the piers in the choir.
The ceiling painting in the nave, depicting Elijah being carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot, was the work of Joaquim Gonçalves da Rocha (1813).
The church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in Rua do Carmo, was begun in 1763. In 1771 Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho, created the façade and the soapstone emblem of the Carmelite order on the main doorway. He was also responsible for the carving on the side altars, the pulpits and the figures on the piers in the choir.
The ceiling painting in the nave, depicting Elijah being carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot, was the work of Joaquim Gonçalves da Rocha (1813).
Nossa Senhora do Ó
The plain exterior of the church of Nossa Senhora do Ó, on Largo do Ó, is in sharp contrast to the sumptuous carved decoration of the choir. On the walls of the nave are paintings of the Holy Family. The end wall has chinoiserie ornament.
Borba Gato's House
Borba Gato's House
Borba Gato's House preserves a variety of objects from the time of the bandeirantes and the gold-prospectors. It serves as a memorial to the man who first discovered gold at Sabará in 1700 and died there eighteen years later.
Borba Gato's House preserves a variety of objects from the time of the bandeirantes and the gold-prospectors. It serves as a memorial to the man who first discovered gold at Sabará in 1700 and died there eighteen years later.
Gold Museum
Gold Museum
Nearby, in the Casa da Intendància (1720), formerly the office and foundry of the gold inspectorate, is the Gold Museum (Museu do Ouro). This is the only surviving royal gold foundry in Brazil. Here the gold dust was weighed and cast into bars, a fifth part (quinto) being taken by the Crown. The museum displays mining equipment, furniture of the colonial period and a number of works of sacred art.
Nearby, in the Casa da Intendància (1720), formerly the office and foundry of the gold inspectorate, is the Gold Museum (Museu do Ouro). This is the only surviving royal gold foundry in Brazil. Here the gold dust was weighed and cast into bars, a fifth part (quinto) being taken by the Crown. The museum displays mining equipment, furniture of the colonial period and a number of works of sacred art.
Prefecture
Prefecture
The Prefecture occupies the Solar do Padre Correia (1773) in Rua Dom Pedro II. The gilded altar of the domestic chapel is attributed to Aleijadinho.
The Prefecture occupies the Solar do Padre Correia (1773) in Rua Dom Pedro II. The gilded altar of the domestic chapel is attributed to Aleijadinho.
Arraial Velho - Chapel of Santana, Brazil
(Near Sabara)
Chapel of Santana
In the commune of Arraial Velho, 3km/2mi from Sabará, are the chapel of Santana (St Anne) and the ruins of the settlement of Arraial Velho de Santana.
In the commune of Arraial Velho, 3km/2mi from Sabará, are the chapel of Santana (St Anne) and the ruins of the settlement of Arraial Velho de Santana.
Capela da Cruz
Capela da Cruz
1km/.7mi from the town center, on the Morro da Cruz, is the Capela da Cruz (Chapel of the Cross), also known as the Capela do Senhor Bom Jesus.
1km/.7mi from the town center, on the Morro da Cruz, is the Capela da Cruz (Chapel of the Cross), also known as the Capela do Senhor Bom Jesus.
Casa da Opera
On Rua Dom Pedro II are the Casa Azul ("Blue House") of 1773 and the Casa da Opera (Opera House; 1770).
Casa de Aleijadinho
On Rua do Carmo is the house which is believed to have been occupied by Aleijadinho and the Station of the Cross of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
Chafariz do Caquende
On Rua Caquende are the Chafariz do Caquende (1757) and the Station of the Cross of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho.
Museum of Sacred Art
The Museum of Sacred Art is housed in the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos da Barra on Praça Melo Viana. The church was begun in 1713 but was never completed. The Museum's collection includes works by Aleijadinho.
Nossa Senhora das Mercês
N.S. das Mercês
On Rua da Intendància is the 18th century church of Nossa Senhora das Mercês.
On Rua da Intendància is the 18th century church of Nossa Senhora das Mercês.
Pompeu - Santo Antonio, Brazil
(Near Sabara)
Santo Antônio
7km/4.3mi beyond Sabará, in the village of Pompeu, is the chapel of Santo Antônio (1707).
7km/4.3mi beyond Sabará, in the village of Pompeu, is the chapel of Santo Antônio (1707).
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross
In Praça Getúlio Vargas is one of the Stations of the Cross, by the Chafariz da Confraria. The others are in Ruas do Carmo, do Caquende and Marquàs de Sapucaí.
In Praça Getúlio Vargas is one of the Stations of the Cross, by the Chafariz da Confraria. The others are in Ruas do Carmo, do Caquende and Marquàs de Sapucaí.
São Francisco de Assis
São Francisco de Assis
On Plaza São Francisco is the church of São Francisco de Assis (1772).
On Plaza São Francisco is the church of São Francisco de Assis (1772).
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
