Historic Center of the Town of Diamantina (Brazil)

Historic Center of the Town of Diamantina (Brazil)

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Diamantina is a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was founded in 1729 during the Brazilian Gold Rush and is known for its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic center has many well-preserved colonial buildings, including churches, mansions, and shops.

Historic Center of the Town of Diamantina

Diamantina is a city in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was founded in 1729 during the Brazilian Gold Rush and is known for its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic center has many well-preserved colonial buildings, including churches, mansions, and shops.

Diamantina is located 292 km (181 mi), almost directly north of the state capital, Belo Horizonte, in a mountainous area. The elevation of the town is 1,114 m (3,655 ft).

The town of Diamantina rises 150 m (500 ft) up the side of a steep valley in the heart of the arid and rocky mountains of the Espinhaço Range in northeast Minas Gerais, Brazil. With winding and uneven streets that follow the natural topography, it is a well-preserved example of Brazilian Baroque architecture.

Arraial do Tijuco (as Diamantina was first called) was built during the colonial era in the early 18th century. As its name suggests, Diamantina was a center of diamond mining in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The city's most famous landmark is the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, built in the 18th century. The church is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture and one of Brazil's most important religious buildings.

Besides its historic buildings, Diamantina is home to several museums, including the Diamantina Museum, the Gold Museum, and the Sacred Art Museum. These museums exhibit artifacts from the city's history, including gold nuggets, jewelry, and religious art.

The Baroque architecture differs from other Brazilian towns in that it is of wood. It is distinguished by its geometry and details, indicating transference on a modest scale of Portuguese architectural features.

Churches have similar colors and textures as civil buildings, and most have only one tower. The regularly aligned 18th and 19th-century semi-detached houses with one or two floors are painted in bright colors on white ground and contrast with the grey flagstone paving of the streets.

Other notable buildings in the historic center include the Government Palace, the House of Chamber and Commerce, and the House of Justice. These buildings were all built in the 18th and 19th centuries and are a testament to the city's wealth and importance during the Gold Rush.