Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina

Welcome to the historic heart of Diamantina, a town that shimmers with the legacy of the eighteenth-century diamond rush. Perched high in the Espinhaço (Es-peen-yah-so) Mountains of Minas Gerais, this is not just a collection of…

Look down at the ground beneath your feet. These uneven, hand-laid cobblestones are the original fabric of Diamantina’s urban design. …

Standing before us is the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (No-sa Sen-yo-ra do Ro-za-ree-o). This church is a profound symbol of the town’s cultural fusion, as it was built by and for the Brotherhood of Black Men, a religious…

Perhaps the most iconic image of Diamantina is the blue Passadiço (Pa-sah-dee-so) of the Casa da Glória. This is a covered wooden bridge that spans a narrow street, connecting two large eighteenth-century buildings. …

As we walk, take a closer look at the textures and colors of the houses. One of the most striking features of Diamantina’s architecture is the use of soapstone for structural and decorative elements. …

We now approach the area of the old market, which was once the commercial heart of the diamond district. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this was where the wealth of the mines was exchanged for goods from the coast…

In a mountain town like Diamantina, water was a precious resource and a central part of public life. As you wander, you will encounter several historic fountains, or 'chafarizes' (sha-fa-ree-zes), scattered throughout the town. …

As our journey through the Historic Centre of Diamantina comes to a close, stand for a moment and look out over the red rooftops toward the distant mountain peaks. We have walked through a town that was born of a feverish rush…