Mariana

Mariana is a colonial mining town in Central Minas Gerais.

Understand
Mariana, originally known as Nossa Senhora do Carmo, came into existence with the discovery of gold along the Ribeirão 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 João 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.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Belo Horizonte.

By bus

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

Do

 * Pan for gold - Off of Rua Rosário Velho along the creek, people still pan for gold in much the same way they have for centuries.

Events

 * July 16 - On the anniversary of the city's founding, the state governor comes to spend the day in Mariana, and the city relives the days when it was the grand capital of Minas Gerais.

Sleep
Many of the accommodations in town are within a short walk of Praça Tancredo Neves.