FACTS ABOUT TIRADENTES: The town is located on the hillside of the São José Mountain Range and it is known for its historical and cultural value. The town received the name of Tiradentes, the main character in the “Disloyalty Mineira”, a political movement that fought for Brazilian independence from Portuguese rule. It is approximately 215km from the airport in the city of Belo Horizonte, and about 490km from Sao Paulo City, and 325km from Rio de Janeiro. The town belongs to the State of Minas Gerais and has about 6.000 inhabitants.

HOW IS TIRADENTES: It is a very tiny and charming small town with lots of preserved architecture in the Baroque style, sculpted on big houses, genuine façades, old churches and homes with their colonial shingles and adobe walls. I is a peaceful town with lots of history to tell and many charming hotels and guest houses.

WHEN TO GO / CLIMATE: It is possible to visit the region during the whole year and has a tropical altitude climate, where the days are comfortable warm and the nights are cool. The average temperature is around 17°C (63ºF).

HOW TO GO: The closest airport is Confins CNF) airport located in Belo Horizonte, or the second airport of Pampulha (PLU) also in Belo Horizonte. Then by car or bus to the town of Tiradentes or you may travel via another charming town in this region, named Ouro Preto. It is also possible to visit by land, from São Paulo and/or Rio de Janeiro, but at the road conditions are bad and long distanced, we you to recommend the visits via Belo Horizonte.

HOW LONG STAY: For the first time visitor we recommend one or two nights stay, to able the visitors to enjoy the place, its main attractions. Further we use to recommend a visit to the neighboring town of Ouro Preto as well. Besides the pre-booked hotel and airport transfers, we recommend you to book the tour “guide walk in the historical center”.

WHAT TO DO IN TIRADENTES: Besides the main attractions in Tiradentes that you can read more about below there are some special events of interest as well, that may justify a longer stay:

EVENTS:
Carnaval (February / March)
Tiradentes Carnival is considered one of the best in the State of Minas Gerais and attracts several merrymakers willing to enjoy the party on the streets, in the middle of the crowd. Small bands play old Carnival songs and street dancers entertain the tourists.

Holy Trinity Jubilee (June)
This is a Catholic celebration, with novenas, masses and processions that attract believers from all over the country.

Harley Davidson Meeting (June)
This meeting attracts owners of Harley Davidsons, the famous motorcycle manufacturer, from all over the country. It is part of the official motorcycle meeting calendar.

International Culture and Gastronomy Festival (August)
For 10 days, chefs from Brazil and all over the world present what is best in their countries’ culinary. The visitor can sample food and beverages, as well as take a culinary course.

ATTRACTIONS:
Saint Anthony Church
The church originated from a wooden chapel in 1702, the time of the first explorers. Its definitive construction started in 1710. The church was open 20 years later. The present façade is believed to be Aleijadinho’s last work (1810). It is considered one of Brazil’s most beautiful baroque temples, with seven perfectly engraved altars in the best D.João V style. It is worth noting the rococo organ, from 1788. It was bought in the city of Porto (Portugal) and has 630 pipes.

Church of Our Lady of Rosary of the Black People
The construction is in granite and it has a renaissance style. It is believed to be the most solid structure in the city. It replaced the old chapel, which was from the beginning of the 18th century.

Our Lady of Mercy Church
The chapel was constructed in rococo style at the end of the 18th century. It belonged to the Black Creole Fraternity, those who were born in Brazil. It is located on the beautiful Mercy Public Square, gateway to the city’s oldest nucleus.

Chamber House
This is a beautiful model of 18th Century architecture. It has an ample balcony that was added on afterwards, with wooden and stone arcades and columns in Spanish style.

City Hall Building
This impressive construction is three stories high and it dates from the end of the 18th century. It is located on Emancipation Square. This is where the City’s Tourism Department and Post Office are located.

Padre Toledo
This is the Parochial House where the leader of the Death River region Inconfidentes (Minas Conspiracy) lived, Father Carlos Correia Toledo e Melo. The house has 16 rooms, and 10 of them have their ceilings painted to emphasize the “Five Senses”. Today, the museum houses Mestre Ataíde’s furniture pieces and paintings.

A Trip on the “Smoking Mary”
The trip takes us back to the past. The route is what is left of the West Minas Railroad, inaugurated by D. Pedro II in 1881. The American steam locomotive dates from the beginning of the 20th century and it is in excellent working condition. The train takes you from Tiradentes to São João Del Rey on an unforgettable 13 km (9 mile) journey. It takes approximately half an hour.

SHOPPING
Sweets
Since 1965, Sweetmaker Chico has been making milk, coconut, ambrosia, and the famous cashew candies. The shop is located on Rua Francisco Padre de Moraes, 74.

Crafted Knives
The Russian Zacarowiskyni family has been producing Burza knives by hand for nine generations. They use steel imported from Europe. It is located on the Rua da Chafariz, 90.

Arts and Crafts
Most of the arts and crafts sold in Tiradentes stores is produced in other neighboring cities, such as São João Del Rey (tin), Resende Costa (manual weavers) and Prados (wooden sculptures). In the downtown streets, there are many painting, sculpting and engraving ateliês. In the Bichinho district, 7 km (4.5 miles – 4 miles on dirt road) from the city one can find the Agosto Shop, where the artist Toti and a group of artisans produce paintings, furniture, and sculptures with material collected from demolitions (You can find them for sale in Tiradentes at Inês Rabelo Arte). Another attraction in Bichinho is the artisan Mauro Gonçalves who makes furniture out of branches, vines and leather strips.