BASIC INFORMATIONS

1. OURO PRETO – Cultural Property of the World Heritage.

As described by Unesco, in his report about Ouro Preto, World Heritage List number 124, of 1980, "Ouro Preto is considered an unequaled heritage because of its churches, its simple but original urban architecture, its bridges, its fountains and its setting. It is mainly its overall homogeneity and global character that make it a unique cultural property. As first capital of the state of Minas, Ouro Preto is of local interest; as mining center of the Golden Age of Brazil, it is of national interest, and as unique centre of baroque architecture, it is of outstanding universal value. Ouro Preto is a unique artistic and urbanistic master piece."

2. GENERAL DATA

Localization: Serra do Espinhaço, State of Minas Gerais.
Latitude: 20º 23’ 28” S.
Longitude: 43º 30’ 20” W.
Area: 1.194km2
Population: 64.440 inhabitants (2007)
Topography: irregular
Altitude: until 1.179m
Climate: Koppen - Cwb
Temperature
Average Maximum: 22,6ºC
Average Minimum: 13,1ºC
Average Annual: 17,4ºC
Minimum: 6ºC (July)
Maximum: 28ºC (January)

3. TO ARRIVE

By plane

Go to Belo Horizonte, capital of State of Minas Gerais, circa 1h by plane from Rio de Janeiro; from there by car or bus (98 km) to Ouro Preto.

By car

From Belo Horizonte – 98 km – through BR-040 highway, until BR-356, taking to the left.

From Rio de Janeiro there are two options: 467 km taking BR-040 to the north and to the right at BR-356 or
417 km taking the BR-040 highway until Conselheiro Lafaiete and the Royal Road to Ouro Preto.

From Sao Paulo – 754 km – taking the BR-381 (Rodovia Fernao Dias) until Lavras. From Lavras, take the BR-265 road until Barbacena and then to Conselheiro Lafaiete and the Royal Road to Ouro Preto.

By bus

Belo Horizonte: Viação Pássaro Verde. Daily. Duration of the trip: 1h45min. Informations: (31) 3551-1081.

São Paulo: Empresa Vale do Ouro. Daily. Duration of trip: 11h. Informations: (31) 3551-5679.

Rio de Janeiro: Viação Útil. Daily. Informations: (31) 3551 3166.

Brasília: Viação Pássaro Verde. Daily. Duração: 11h30min. Informations: (31) 3551-1081.

4. DISTANCE FROM MAIN BRAZILIAN CAPITALS:

Belo Horizonte - 96 km
Vitória - 624 km
Rio de Janeiro – 467 km ou 417km
São Paulo – 754 km
Brasília - 860 km
Curitiba - 1.094 km
Salvador - 1.480 km
Recife - 2.088 km

5. SERVICES

Ouro Preto offers many options very interesting which can demonstrate clearly its paper of cultural property of world heritage. Come to visit its monuments, museums, old mines, and the diversity of its nature preserved by its parks and districts. Enjoy the highly known hospitality of its people and know its traditional points as its food, workmanship, religious events and much more.
Ouro Preto also offers an excellent system devoted to tourism like hotels, restaurants, transportation and guides.