Things to do in São João Del Rei
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Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
This 1774 baroque church is exquisite. It’s on the south side of the river and faces an elegant lyre-shaped plaza filled with towering palms. Inside the church are two Aleijadinho sculptures: the figures of São João Evangelista and São Gonçalo do Amarante in the second altar to the left. The facade, with sculptures of the Immaculate Virgin and angels executed by Francisco de Lima Cerqueira based on Aleijadinho’s design, is one of the finest in Minas.
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Igreja de NS do Carmo
The 18th-century Igreja de NS do Carmo, dominating a lovely triangular praça (plaza), was designed by Aleijadinho, who also did the frontispiece and the sculpture around the door. In the second sacristy is a famous unfinished sculpture of Christ.
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Catedral de NS do Pilar
Begun in 1721, the Catedral de NS do Pilar has exuberant gold altars and fine Portuguese tiles. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the Lira Sanjoanense, or Coalhada (all-white) orchestra and choir, accompany the 7pm Mass.
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Museu de Arte Sacra
In a building that served as the public jail between 1737 and 1850, the Museu de Arte Sacra reopened after a 12-year renovation in March 2010. It has a small but impressive collection of art from the city’s churches.
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Museu Regional do IPHAN
The Museu Regional do IPHAN is one of the best in Minas Gerais. It is full of antique furniture and sacred art, and is housed in a colonial mansion that was built around 1859.
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Churrascaria Ramon
Ramon prides itself on perfectly cooked meats and all the traditional Mineiro favorites. For a bargain, try the prato feito (meat, beans, rice, salad and potato salad) for R$9.50.
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Cantina do Italo
One of the city’s oldest Italian restaurants, Italo serves a full range of pizza, pasta and other classics in its upstairs dining room next door to São João’s downtown shopping center.
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Bar do Zotti
A cozy little place resembling a rustic cabin transplanted into the big city. Lots of people pack in here every night for delicious nibbles, drinks and dancing.
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Del Rei Cafe
This busy corner bar, with numerous sidewalk tables, is great for people-watching. Locals congregate here daily for early-evening beers and late-night snacks.
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Restaurante Villeiros
A fabulous self-serve place with great variety near the Igreja de São Francisco, Villeiros is very popular with locals and has a cheerful patio out back.
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Chafariz
Just behind the train station, Chafariz is a popular self-serve option – it seems half the town is in there for lunch on any given day.
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Igreja de NS do Rosário
The simple Igreja de NS do Rosário was built in 1719 to honor the patron saint who was protector of the slaves.
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São Jorge Bar Divertido
Very popular with the 20- to 30-year-old crowd, who come to dance and flirt the night away to live rock, samba and more.
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Cine Gloria
This old theater screens multiple films nightly, including many in English with Portuguese subtitles.
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