'''Mariana''' is a colonial mining town in Minas Gerais.

Understand

'''Mariana''', originally known as ''Nossa Senhora do Carmo'', came into existence with the discovery of gold along the Ribeirao Nossa Senhora do Carmo river in 1696. Known informally as the ''Primeira Cidade'' (First City), it is indeed a city of firsts: It was the first ''vila'' established in the state and soon became the first state capital, and a major center for the burgeoning gold trade. In 1745, the Portuguese king, Dom Joao V, renamed the city after his wife, Maria Ana D'Austria. Around the same time, the city became the seat of the first bishopric in the state and hence became an important religious center for the region. In response to the influx of people, streets and rectangular plazas were planned, making Mariana the first planned city in the state. These days, Mariana preserves many of the original colonial buildings and churches in such a thorough way that the traveller almost feels he has stepped back in time.

Get in

By plane

The nearest convenient airport is located in Belo Horizonte.

By bus

  • Local buses ferry between Ouro Preto and Mariana every thirty minutes, dropping passengers at the tourism office on Rua Antonio Olinto. The ride takes 35 minutes and costs R$1.
  • Long distance buses from Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Victoria and other cities arrive at the bus station on the outskirts of town.
  • Get around

    See

  • Atelie de Marionetes Catin Nardi. ua do Seminario, 290 - Centro. 1 9601-7661. $10-15. Argentinian marionettist Catin Nardi has gained some fame across Brazil for some television shows he has created. He gives weekly shows for tourists every Saturday at 7pm, or by appointment.
  • Cachoeira do Brumado. rumado Waterfall. n the district of the same name.
  • Casa da Camara e Cadeia. raca de Minas Gerais. In colonial times, this building housed offices of public officials, the city council, and the jail. At other times in its history, it has held a hospital, a butcher shop, and various other things.
  • Gruta da Nossa Senhora da Lapa. ave of Our Lady of Lapa. t the end of Rua da Lapa. n a small district a few kilometers north of the main town.
  • Rua Direita. The oldest and best-preserved houses of the town line this beautiful street, the second oldest street in town. Some highlights include the Casa do Barao de Pontal, (former state governor's house), the Casa Setecentista, (a 18th-century archive building), and the house of poet Alphonsus de Guimaraes, now containing a small museum dedicated to his work. The museum is open Tues-Sat 12pm-6pm and Sundays 9am-3pm.

    Museums

  • Museu Arquidiocesano de Arte Sacra. useum of Sacred Art of the Archdiocese. ua Frei Durao - Centro. ues-Fri 8:30am-12pm and 1:30pm-5pm. Weekends and holidays 8:30am-2pm. $5. Installed in a colonial building whose construction began in 1770, this is one of Brazil's best sacred art museums, with over two thousand objects, including a golden reliquary considered to be the richest in the state and second in Brazil. The collection includes works in soapstone, porcelain and wood, Portuguese paintings, paintings by Ataide, and many other objects.
  • Museu da Musica de Mariana. ariana Music Museum. ua Conego Amando, 161 - Centro. 1 3557-2778. ttp://www.mmmariana.com.br. ues-Sat 8:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-6pm. ree. Located inside the former ''Palacio dos Bispos'', the old Bishop's Palace. Its permanent exhibit includes a hands-on music display, and a collection which contains scores, documents, and other printed material from the 1700s forward. </see>
  • Museu do Livro. ook Museum. onego Amando no 161 - Centro. 1 3557-2778. ttp://www.mmmariana.com.br. ues-Sat 8:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-6pm, Sundays 8:30am-12pm. nfo@mmmariana.com.br. Houses many rare books from the 18th century, including a number of volumes related to the ''Inconfidencia Mineira''. If you cannot read Portuguese, you might give this one a pass.

    Churches

  • Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao. atedral da Se. raca da Se. ues-Sun 8am-5pm. $2; R$7 for concert times. The city's largest and most important church was constructed between 1709 and 1750. Many famous artists contributed to its construction, including Aleijadinho, his father, and Manuel da Costa Ataide. On Fridays at 11am and Sundays at 12:15pm, concerts are given on the beautiful German organ which was built in 1701.
  • Igreja da Arquiconfraria. ua Dom Silverio - Centro. on-Fri 8am-12pm and 1:30pm-5pm, Saturdays 9am-11am. $1. Constructed in 1784, this church has a uniquely simple design compared to the many baroque churches typically built in the region in that era.
  • Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Gloria.
  • Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Merces. ua das Merces - Centro. This church has a rather plain outward appearance but houses some of the most revered artwork in town, a beautiful series of wood carvings decorated in gold, made by an unknown artist. The church is currently undergoing restoration.
  • Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario. ua Monsenhor Horta - Rosario. 1 3557-1179. on-Fri 10am-5pm. $1. This 1752 has elaborately-decorated altars. The painting on the chapel ceiling is particularly well-preserved.
  • Igreja de Santo Antonio. Oldest church in the city.
  • Igreja Sao Francisco de Assis. raca de Minas Gerais - Centro. aily 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. $2. Constructed between 1763 and 1794 and decorated by a number of different painters including Manuel da Costa Ataide, who is buried here. The medallion above the doorway is attributed to Aleijadinho.
  • Igreja de Sao Pedro dos Clerigos. ua Dom Silverio - Colina de Sao Pedro . $1. A very attractive church designed by Antonio Ferreira Calheiros, who also designed the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosario in

    Buy

    Eat

  • Alvorada. ua Jorge Marques 101. Reasonably-priced ''churrascaria''.
  • Dom Silverio. ua do Seminario 290. 557 2475. :30pm-12am. round R$12/person. Great pizza.
  • Engenho Novo. raca da Se 26. 1am-4pm; 7pm-11pm. unch R$16. ''Mineiro'' restaurant at lunchtime, bar at night. The owners speak English.
  • Lua Cheia. ua Dom Vicoso 23. 1am-4pm. $12/kilo. Decent ''mineiro'' cuisine per kilo. An all-you-can-eat option is also available.
  • Mangiare della Mamma. ua Dom Vicoso 27. $4/kilo. Tasty per-kilo ''mineiro'' cuisine.
  • Portao da Praca. raca Gomes Freire. 1am-6pm. rom R$8. Great little sandwich shop. Try a ''beirute'', something similar to a doner kebab.
  • Restaurante Pizzeria Senzala. raca Gomes Freire. Good lunch specials and a bar atmosphere at night.
  • Tambau. ravessa Joao Pinheiro 26. 31 3557-1406.

    Drink

  • Tatu_fs Dancing. raca Claudio Manoel. Open weekends, this disco is the busiest in town.

    Sleep

    Many of the accommodations in town are within a short walk of Praca Tancredo Neves.
  • Hotel Central. ua Frei Durao 8. t Praca Gomes Freire. 31 3557-1630. $20-40. Somewhat run-down but acceptable accommodations.
  • Hotel Faisca. ua Antonio Olinto 48-A . 31 3557-1765. $40-70. Full apartments or simple rooms available.
  • Hotel Muller. ua Getulio Vargas 34" phone=031 3557-1188". 557-2492. $40-70.
  • Hotel Providencia. ua Dom Silverio 233. 31 3577-1444. Swimming pool available.
  • Pousada Solar dos Correa. ua Josafa Macedo 70. 31 3557-2080. $40-70. Rooms are furnished with replicas of colonial furniture and have nice views. Request room number 8 for the best decor.
  • Pousada Typographia. raca Gomes Freire 220. 31 3557-1577. $70-100. Installed in a restored 18th-century manor with replica period decor. Spacious rooms.

    Contact

  • <listing name="Associacao dos Gulas" alt="" directions="next to the tourist office" address="Rua Antonio Olinto" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Stop by here to pick up a free town map.</listing>
  • Internet cafes

  • <listing name="Celeiro das Artes Cybercafe" alt="" directions="" address="Praca Gomes Freire" phone="31 3557 1336" email="" fax="" url="" hours="10am-10pm" price="R$4/hour">Decent connections with an interesting decor of local handicrafts.</listing>
  • <listing name="Mdo Lan House" alt="" directions="Rua Direita 183" address="" phone="31 3557-4585?" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Internet and gaming systems.</listing>
  • Get out