Americas

[Visited: January 2024]

After enjoying a few days in Ouro Preto, we are on our way to Tiradentes. The last stretch of the road from São Joao del Rei is a cobble stone road, and the driving gets slow. We drive past a mountain on our left, and at one point see a waterfall tumbling down the rock. When we arrive in Tiradentes, we directly go to our hotel to leave our stuff. It is time to start exploring this city with its noteworthy name. Initially, it was called Vila de São José do Rio das Mortes, but it was renamed after the famous Brazilian revolutionary Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, nicknamed Tiradentes, in 1889 - hundred years after he started his failed revolt for which he eventually paid the highest price in 1792. His name lives on in subway stations, street names, statues and sculptures, on Brazilian coins, and of course in this city in Minas Gerais. He was born nearby.
We walk around a cosy square, where horse-drawn carriages wait for customers, and it is easy to find something to eat as there are many restaurants around. After a good lunch, we start by walking up to a hill, on which we find the São Francisco de Paula church. It has a remarkable cross on the lawn in front of it, with small ladders and instruments attached. We walk down, cross the river, and go straight to the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity which sits on a spacious square on top of yet another hill. The fence is closed, so we have to admire the blue and white building from a distance. From here, we drive further through the cobble stone streets, passing other churches and pretty houses. It is all a smaller scale than Ouro Preto, the opulent colonial city that was the capital of the state for a long time. This is a modest town-turned-city.
Then, the downpour we had seen coming finally bursts. We are now happy we took our car, and do some sightseeing from the dry comfort of it. We end up having a tasty dinner in one of the many restaurants near the square of the historic city. The next morning, we are cruising around Tiradentes again. This time, the weather is welcoming, and we enjoy walking around the pretty streets and seeing some of the many, many churches. Although they are mostly painted white and yellow, they all have their distinctive appearance. We enter the Matriz de Antonio church with its beautiful wooden ceiling. Unfortunately, we find all the other churches closed. But the delightful streets, lined with houses and some trees with colourful flowers, keep us busy anyway. We see several statues and busts of Tiradentes. If only the Brazilian hero would know that this city was named after him - he surely would be very proud. Especially given that it is part of the independent country of Brazil.

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Tiradentes (Brazil)

Tiradentes > Brazil > Americas

[Visited: January 2024]

Around the World in 80 Clicks