São João del Rey

Like many other historic towns in Minas Gerais, São João del Rey was founded for the mining of gold in its surroundings. However, unlike many other colonial cities, São João del Rey continued to develop after the depletion of its gold. It remained an attractive location because of the farms in its surroundings. Later, it became a centre of textile industry. For this reason, São João del Rey did not stay behind in the 18th century . It does not only count many 18th century buildings but it has also numerous monuments from the 19th and 20th century.

However, the neighbouring city of Tiradentes did not change much since the 18th century. Visiting Tiradentes from São João del Rey is a nice day trip, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On these days, it is possible to travel by steam train from São João del Rey to Tiradentes.

São João del Rey is the place of birth of Tancredo Neves. In 1985, he was the first elected president of Brazil after a period of military dictatorship. Unfortunately, he died just before he took office. The home of his family, the Solar dos Neves, is a beautiful colonial mansion near the church Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

Attractions

Pewter factories
São João del Rey has a number of factories where artisans produce pewter tableware and other utensils. Some of these factories offer a guided tour through the process of pewter production. New pewter looks like silver, but most Europeans only know pewter as a material with an antique patina as the risen costs of labour almost ended its production in the North. Even in Brazil, a set of pewter dishware is not cheap but it is still affordable and it can be used by more than one generation. If you buy any pieces, pay attention to the finishing: differences in price are often differences in quality.

Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
São Joao del Rey counts more than 70 churches, but the most impressive one is the Igreja de São Francisco de Assis. This building was finished in 1774. It has works of the famous Brazilian master Aleijadinho and of Eduardo Magalhães. Behind this church is the grave of president Tancredo Neves.

Venue: Praça Frei Orlando
Open: daily, 8.00 - 17.00 hours; on Sundays, the mass is accompanied by 19th century music and starts at 9.15 hours.

Catedral Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar
The Catedral Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar is a stunning early Baroque church that was completed in 1721. It has a beautifully painted ceiling and its interior is decorated with an enormous amount of gold.

Open: Mondays to Fridays, 8.00 -10.30 hours and 12.00-20.00 hours; Saturdays and Sundays 8.00 -10.30 hours and 17.00-20.00 hours
Venue: Avenida Getúlio Vargas

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário
The Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário used to be a church for slaves and other Afro-Brazilian inhabitants of São João del Rey.

Open: Tuesdays to Sundays, 12.00-18.00 hours
Venue: Avenida Getúlio Vargas

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo
The building of this church started in 1734 and it would take until 1879 to finish it. It has a beautiful façade.

Open: Tuesdays to Sundays, 12.00-17.00 hours
Venue: Largo do Carmo or Praça Carlos Gomes

Estação Ferroviária and Museu Ferroviário
The Estação Ferroviária is a railway station from the end of the 19th century. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it is the departure of the steam train to Tiradentes. This railway station houses the Museu Ferroviário that displays the history of this railway. You can take the steam train to Tiradentes at 10.00 hours or at 15.00 hours. The train from Tiradentes to São João del Rey leaves at 13.00 hours and at 17.00 hours.

Venue: Avenida Hermílio Alves
Open (Museu Ferroviario): Tuesdays to Sundays, 9.00 – 11.30 hours and 13.00 – 17.00 hours