Caraça Sanctuary Day Trip

If you find yourself in Ouro Preto, a visit to the Caraça Sanctuary in Catas Altas is essential. This day trip will guide you through a remarkable religious enclave enveloped by vibrant nature. Are you ready to explore?

Description

We'll arrange to pick you up at Rua Barão de Camargos, 126 at the designated time, commencing our excursion to the Caraça Sanctuary. Our journey will take us towards the scenic city of Catas Altas in the heart of Minas Gerais.

Following a scenic 2-hour drive, our first sight will be the Nossa Senhora Mãe Dos Homens Church, a remarkable structure completed between 1876 and 1883. This iconic site is known as the first neo-Gothic church in Brazil. We will marvel at its striking 48-meter (157 ft) tower, which rises regally amid the lush backdrop of the Serra de Caraça.

Next, we will embark on a leisurely hike covering approximately 2 kilometers, leading us to Cascatinha, a breathtaking 40-meter (131 ft) waterfall composed of four cascades and four natural pools. The intriguing yellow hue of the water fluctuates with rainfall, as this distinct coloration originates from organic materials washing down from the mountains. It’s a natural wonder!

You will have some time to unwind by the waterfall, where you may also choose to enjoy a refreshing swim. Rejuvenated, we'll head back to the Caraça Sanctuary complex, where you can opt to have lunch at a nearby local eatery.

After regrouping, we'll proceed to enter the sanctuary and explore the church interior, which features a stunning Last Supper painting and the exquisite baroque depiction of Nossa Senhora Dos Homens, carved from wood and adorned with gold-painted garments.

Following this, we’ll discover other notable structures within the religious complex, including the calvary, cloister, catacombs, and museum. Prepare to be mesmerized!

In conclusion, we will return to our original meeting point in Ouro Preto, marking the end of our enriching journey after an invigorating 11 hours.