Brumadinho
Day without visit!!! we head to our next site hoping to connect a campsite.
On our favorite site of travelers, some crews alert on an arrival at the campsite by a very steep alley (again!!). We contact the manager who confirms a steep but accessible climb: for proof he sends us a film showing the arrival of several vehicles.
On arrival, it is impossible for us to climb this impasse ... it is an elevation gain of more than 30%!! incredible.
The owner offers us to pull the camper with its petrolette!!! Irrealistic ......
Finally we land in a pousada (rustic inn) that accepts our vehicles for free by providing even electricity.
It is very hot and we are very happy to enjoy the shade of the trees around.
Ouro Preto
About fifty km separate us from Ouro Preto which we still reach by the same and beautiful road.
Ouro Preto is one of the most famous colonial cities in Brazil and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Founded in the 17th century, Ouro Preto, which means «black gold», stands out for its historic buildings, mostly designed by the Brazilian artist "Aleijadinho (the Brazilian Michelangelo). We discover superb churches and sumptuous period mansions. Like its neighbors, it is a city perched on several hills and therefore sloping streets with round and polished cobblestones!!
* Igreja Sao Francisco de Assis: It was built between 1766 and 1812 with the collaboration of two of the greatest artists: Aleijadinho, and Manuel da Costa Ataide
It is distinguished by its distinctive style. The altar is rococo style, the pale and contrasting paintings of the trompe-l'oeil ceiling, the two round towers set back, the undulation of the stone walls set with white panels, the facade sculpture in soapstone,
* Museu da Inconfidencia: Built in 1785, the museum served as a chamber of deputies and a prison. It was inaugurated in 1944, in tribute to the "Inconfidents" of 1789 (a group of conspirators preparing a suppressed revolution before being born). The museum includes a succession of objects from different eras.
At the moment of leaving the museum, a torrential rain (again) falls on the city ... we are prisoners in this old prison!! We take out our umbrellas (and yes we have them) to take refuge in a restaurant.
The sun comes back and we continue our discovery.
* Igreja Nossa Senhora Do Carmo: Built in 1766, this church is one of the last architectural achievements of Manuel Francisco Lisboa, father of Aleijadinho. It includes a beautiful ceiling studded with gold stars and stone statues dressed in red and emperruped. The interior is baroque rococo style, with gilding and it is the only one in the region to have azulejos.
* Basilica Nossa Senhora Do Pilar: It was built between 1711 and 1733. Its altar is covered with more than 400 kg of gold and the richness of ornaments, gilding and woodwork make it the best witness of the Brazilian Baroque.
We spend our day climbing and going down the alleys to walk this city according to the visits.
Brumadinho
We had scheduled the visit of the site "Inhotim",
Unfortunately it opens only from Wednesday to Sunday.
It does not matter we take time to go to the hairdresser because we really need it and wander a little.
Back to pousada under blazing sun : 38°
Afternoon dedicated to the site and video and evening at the hotel restaurant.
Congonhas
It is Saturday and while preparing our itinerary, we realized that the vast majority of sites to visit close on Monday.
This changes our agenda in the days to come, we must avoid Mondays ... which is not easy.
On the way to Congonhas, we always cross a hilly region with green landscape and under the sun.
We land at the bus station and after lunch, we go to discover the historic center. It is a small town, very steep, with cobbled streets and without charm.
The most remarkable monument of the city is the Sanctuary of the Good Jesus placed on top of a hill. It was built in the 18th century by the baroque artist Aleijadinho.
In front of the church we admire the sculptural masterpiece of the artist : the 12 prophets in soapstone that announces the coming of Christ. And nestled in 6 chapels the scenes of the passion of Christ, in polychrome wood.
The set of sculptures, life size, represents the most important artistic treasure of Brazil which motivated the inscription on the list of the world heritage of Unesco.
At the end of our visit, the rain appears and turns in a few minutes into a real flood.
Of course our umbrellas are safely stored in the camper. We find a shelter, glued to a house that protects us just a little bit. We are witnessing the formation of a torrent that runs down the alley.
After 1 hour we can reach our camper to get dry.
The rest of the afternoon is devoted to laundry and the website
ROAD BOOK 165
MAVROS ODYSSEE