Founded in 1699 during the gold rush in Minas Gerais,   São João del Rei has a well-preserved historic center, with baroque churches, beautiful colonial mansions, cobbled streets.  It's a real pleasure to walk there. 

São João del Rei, about 185 Km from Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is well worth a visit.  Nowadays it has a population of about 80,000  -- and it still boasts small-town values. 

Enjoy looking at my pictures of São João del Rei.

 

 
 
 






 
 
 

The graceful baroque church of Church of Saint Francis, one of Aleijadinho's masterpieces