City Layout

City Layout

Ouro Preto is a city of twisting, turning streets that seem to change names at every corner, but despite this it's remarkably hard to get lost. Thanks to the ever-present incline you can usually pick out your destination -- be it church, museum, or square -- either above or below you. The main square in the center of the city is the Praça Tiradentes. The Museu da Inconfidência stands on one side of the square and the University of Ouro Preto on the other. Running downhill out of the square are two parallel streets -- Rua Sen. Rocha Lagoa and Rua Conde de Bobadela (aka Rua Direita) -- packed with restaurants, pubs, and shops. Following those streets will lead via a number of twists and turns first to the Praça Reinaldo Alves de Brito with its lovely sculpted fountain, and below that to the Igreja Matriz N.S. do Pilar. Below that again -- possibly on the Rua Antonio Albuquerque, though there are several other routes -- stands the lovelyIgreja N.S. do Rosario.

Head downhill on the other side of Praça Tiradentes, and you'll come to the Largo de Coimbra, site of the Igreja São Francisco de Assis. Continue following the street down the hillside to the next important church, the Matriz N.S. da Conceição and the next-door Aleijadinho Museum. Past this church, strolling alongRua Bernardo Vasconcelos, the street crosses a lovely stone bridge before it starts to climb very steeply. At the top -- the view is worth the effort, but if you're feeling lazy you can always take a cab from the main square for R$6 -- stands the Matriz Santa Efigenia dos Pretos, built by communities of slaves who were not permitted to worship in other churches. Note the Afro-Brazilian motifs, such as shells and goat horns. Retracing your steps down the steep street, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the city.

Bring good walking shoes. All the streets are cobblestone, and the sidewalks and steps are often carved out of uneven stones.