Explore Ouro Preto Aboard a Charming 1930s Jardineira

If you want to dive into history and visit several tourist spots in Ouro Preto in one day, this is the perfect option.

Visiting Ouro Preto feels like stepping into a history book in the open air. The colonial city is known for its incredible baroque architecture and steep, winding cobblestone streets. Ouro Preto is so valuable that it is listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Imagine exploring everything the city has to offer aboard a jardineira. A journey straight from the time tunnel.

Hopping on a Jardineira

I think many people from younger generations don’t know what a jardineira is. It’s an old model of a bus, smaller than current ones and larger than a van, widely used in the past in small towns. And of course, touring a historic city requires an old and traditional vehicle.

The jardineira departs at 10 a.m. from Largo de Coimbra, and a highly experienced guide accompanies the entire route, giving details about each important point we see. Aboard our vehicle, we have a panoramic view of Tiradentes Square, the Church of the Rosary, the Railway Station, Largo Marília de Dirceu, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Church of Our Lady of Conception. And, of course, a stop at the city’s viewpoint for you to take beautiful photos and keep as a souvenir.

The tour also includes internal visits to places such as the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Aleijadinho Museum, the Basilica of Pilar, the Sacred Art Museum, the Church of Saint Efigênia, the Gold Mine, and the city viewpoint. In some of them, it is necessary to purchase entrance tickets that are not included in the total price of the tour.

Be Enchanted by Baroque Architecture in Ouro Preto’s Churches and Museums

Still aboard the jardineira, the guide will take you to the main churches in the city. One of them is the Mother Church of Saint Efigênia, the main church of the city, located at the top of the Santa Efigênia Hill. Its location is so privileged that it is possible to see the church from various points in the city. The temple was built by the freed slave Chico Rei and his tribe with the gold extracted from the Encardideira Mine in the region. Therefore, gold is abundantly present throughout the church’s decoration, leaving visitors in awe of its beauty and history.

Tip: For those who enjoy religious festivals, it is interesting to visit the city between September 12 and 21, when the Feast and Novena in Honor of Saint Efigênia takes place. Every day there is a novena and mass at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on the feast day, there is a procession through several streets of the city.

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a must-visit and is included in the jardineira tour. It is one of the most important works of Antônio Francisco Lisboa, Aleijadinho, and a great symbol of Brazilian Baroque and Rococo. Attached to the temple is the Aleijadinho Museum, a mandatory stop for those visiting Ouro Preto. The space gathers several works by the sculptor, carver, carpenter, and architect of colonial Brazil. After the visit, don’t miss the stone soapstone craft fair at Largo de Coimbra to see the pieces that represent the city.

Following the route aboard the jardineira, the next stop is the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, one of the most beautiful in Ouro Preto. It’s impossible not to be moved when you pass through the door and encounter an intense golden interior. Here you will visit the Sacred Art Museum, where you can see objects and pieces that were part of Ouro Preto’s history.

Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Enter a Gold Mine

Have you ever imagined visiting a gold mine? In Ouro Preto, this is possible, including on the jardineira tour that takes you to the Veloso Mine. With a helmet and accompanied by the mine’s guide, you will walk hunched for a few meters in a narrow passage inside the mountain until you can stand up again.

During the tour, the guide explains how miners found gold, how the gold was transported, what miners’ lives were like, and many other stories about mining in Ouro Preto. You will also learn that many popular expressions used in Brazil originated in the mining universe.

Stay tuned!

To take this and other tours in Ouro Preto, it is ideal to choose closed and comfortable shoes because the stones are slippery and can hurt your feet. In winter, don’t forget a coat, and in the heat, make sure to use plenty of sunscreen. Remember that in Ouro Preto and nearby cities, altitude differences cause temperatures to drop frequently throughout the year.

To learn everything you can do in Ouro Preto and other Brazilian destinations, follow the Visit Brazil Blog. And follow our social media, @visitBrazil on all platforms.