Best of Brazil: Ouro Preto

After our annual conference it has become a habit for us to spend some time with a few of our missionary colleagues for fellowship and relaxation. We usually try to chose an area that will give us a chance to see some new aspect of Brazilian culture and/or history. Last year, for example, we stayed in city of Santos, visiting the coffee museum and the funicular railroad, among other attractions.

As this year’s conference was in Minas Gerais, we decided to go to the historic city of Ouro Preto for our mini-vacation.

It was a good choice.

Ouro Preto was founded in the late 17th century, and became a prominent source of gold for the Portuguese crown. When we visited the palace in the Portuguese city of Mafra back in 2021 we were informed that the gold for its construction came from Brazil. More specifically, it came from Ouro Preto.

The palace at Mafra, Portugal, financed by gold mined in Ouro Preto.

Gold mining has long-since ended in Ouro Preto, but it retains the look and feel of an 18th century city flush with riches. Not only that, but it was the scenario of the Incofidência Mineira, an early plot to establish independence from Portugal.

The construction of ornate churches became a status symbol for the wealthy families of Ouro Preto, with each trying to outdo the other. Hence the number of truly ornate churches in the city.

The interiors of the churches are no less spectacular, with many of the sculptures having been formed by famed Brazilian sculptor Alejadinho.

The angels in this booth were made by a white sculptor…

…while this one, on the other side of the church, was made by an African slave in exchange for his freedom. Note the differences in the color of the angels, their clothing, and their general attitude.

Like the historic district of São Luís, Ouro Preto maintains much of her colonial flavor.

Old buildings, nestled in closely together.

Adding to the fun was the vehicle we rode around in on the day we did most of our tourism.

Perhaps my favorite place to visit was the former city hall, now a museum dedicated to the Inconfidência Mineira.

This imposing structure dominates the center of the city.

Inside, artifacts of life during colonial times.

Fun Fact: There was a forgettable American movie filmed mostly in Ouro Preto in 1988 entitled Moon Over Parador. The cast includes, among others, Richard Dreyfus, Raul Julia, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jonathan Winters. The above-mentioned building, and the public square in front of it, feature prominently in the film. (This is not an endorsement. Not only does the movie suffer from a weak and clichéd story line and mediocre writing, it’s also rated PG13.)

A picture I took of the museum and public square.

Jonathan Winters (white hat), in a scene from the movie, standing in the square with the museum in the background.

While we enjoyed getting to know the city, we enjoyed even more the chance to fellowship with colleagues from throughout Brazil who we only see once a year…if that.

Pizza night with Jonathan and Jenny Reiner who minister in the city of João Pessoa.

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And be sure to read the action-packed adventures of Missionary Max: Missionary Max and the Jungle Princess and Missionary Max and the Lost City.