When most people think of Brazil, the first things that come to mind are the beaches and the sun; however, this country has incredible architecture and a lot of history to tell.
The Brazil was colonized by Portugal and, during the 17th century, some of its cities became centers for gold export. A rich architecture was developed and today they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their importance as historical heritage. These cities have withstood the test of time and bravely resisted the temptation of modern urban development. They are located in the state of Minas Gerais and are not far from the capital, Belo Horizonte.
Ouro Preto
The city of Ouro Preto was the first Brazilian city to be considered a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1980, and it houses a magnificent baroque architectural ensemble, one of the best preserved in the world.
The history of the city begins in the late 17th century, when an anonymous adventurer found curious dark stones (black gold with a layer of palladium) and started one of humanity’s greatest gold rushes.
Tonnes of gold were sent to Portugal in the 18th century, and what remained in the region produced baroque wonders that enchant those who visit the city.
In the historic center, you will find rich fountains, mansions, chapels, and churches from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Another example of the baroque style is the Matriz Nossa Senhora do Pilar, decorated with over 400 kg of gold. The graceful Museu do Oratório has pieces of different styles that celebrate the religiosity of the miners.
The Church of São Francisco de Assis was designed and decorated by Aleijadinho, and is considered his masterpiece. The image of Saint Francis is moving.
The sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa, Aleijadinho, was one of the most important artists in Minas Gerais. He died in 1814 and was honored in 1968 with the creation of the Museu Aleijadinho, dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of sacred art objects.
In the city, you will find hotels, inns, cafes, shops, antique stores, and craft fairs selling pieces made of soapstone.
Mariana
It was in the late 17th century that large quantities of gold were discovered in a river, which was named Ribeirão de Nossa Senhora do Carmo by the colonizers. A settlement would later develop in Mariana, the first village established in the captaincy of Minas Gerais.
In 1745, an unprecedented urban project designed by military engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim transformed the urban landscape of the city, populating it with straight streets and large rectangular squares. It was the first planned city in Minas Gerais.
Today, those who walk through the sumptuous colonial mansions find rich adornments and soapstone balconies, as well as majestic churches, such as the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte.
The Cathedral Basilica of Sé (or Nossa Senhora da Assunção), in Praça de Minas Gerais, has a modest facade but is one of the richest temples in the country. In addition to its altars carved by the Portuguese artist Francisco 
Xavier de Brito, to everyone’s fascination, there is an organ built by the German Arp Schnitger, still in full operation.
The Mina da Passagem, the largest gold mine open to visitors in the world, is also a tourist attraction in Mariana.
Designated a national monument in 1945, Mariana is one of the brightest jewels of the mining historical circuit and a feast for those who love architecture, art, and history.
Tiradentes
The baroque style of Tiradentes is not as refined as that of Ouro Preto, but it is undoubtedly the most charming of the historic cities in Minas Gerais.
Located at the foot of the Serra de São José, the city was just a mining camp in the early 18th century.
With the proclamation of the Republic, the city was renamed Tiradentes, after the martyr of the Inconfidência Mineira (an attempt to emancipate Minas Gerais in 1789), born nearby and who died fighting against the monarchy. When gold ran out in the region, the city was forgotten and fell into despair, rediscovered in the late 1970s. Exceptionally preserved thanks to decades of long isolation, the baroque architectural ensemble of Tiradentes includes gems such as the charming Fonte de São José, built in 1749 to supply the city with drinking water and still functioning today.
Also standing out in the city is the majestic Church of Santo Antônio, the second in gold quantity in Brazil, with its facade built by Aleijadinho.
Largo das Forras, the central square of the city, houses the City Hall and numerous craft shops, restaurants, and inns.
In August, Tiradentes hosts one of the most exciting events in Brazilian cuisine: the Tiradentes Culture and Gastronomy Festival. Created in 1998, the Festival brings together renowned chefs from Brazilian cuisine and other countries as well. In 2015, more than 350 professionals participated in the event and held 200 gastronomic activities, including classes, dinners, and restaurants in the square.
São João Del Rei
One of the largest, most important, and oldest mining cities of the 18th century, São João Del Rei was born in 1702 on the banks of the Rio das Mortes. In 
1713, the settlement gained village status with the name São João Del Rei in an obvious homage to the Portuguese king Dom João V.
Today, São João has a strong commerce, heavy traffic, and is known for being a vibrant university city due to the significant presence of educational centers and student republics that attract young people from all over the country and abroad.
To the delight of locals and tourists, the city keeps alive a century-old tradition: the ringing of the church bells. This custom has made it the “city of bells” and “land where the bells speak.” The tradition is carried out by bell ringers who pass this art from generation to generation. The National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) granted the bell ringers the title of Cultural Heritage of Brazil.
The Historic Center displays fountains, monumental bridges, and beautiful colonial mansions. The main attraction is the Memorial Tancredo Neves, created to honor the lawyer and Brazilian politician born in the city.
The city also celebrates its religious tradition through baroque musical activity and ceremonies such as the Festa do Divino and Holy Week, during which tourists and citizens decorate the streets with delicate decorative carpets made of sand, sawdust, and flower petals.
Source: www.visitbrazil.com