Near Matriz NS da Conceição de Antônio Dias is the abandoned mine of Chico-Rei. There’s little to see as you stoop through the low passageways, but it’s the perfect place to meditate on the fascinating story of this famous West African king-turned-slave-turned-king-again.
Mina do Chico-Rei
Minas Gerais
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Financed by gold from Chico-Rei’s mine and built by the slave community, this mid-18th-century church honors Santa Efigênia, princess of Nubia. The…
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This is the most famous of several oratórios (glass-encased niches containing images of saints) built on street corners around town by early-18th-century…
2. Igreja de Santa Efigênia dos Pretos
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Financed by gold from Chico-Rei’s mine and built by the slave community, this mid-18th-century church honors Santa Efigênia, princess of Nubia. The…
3. Casa de Tomás Antônio Gonzaga
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0.35 MILES
Built between 1766 and 1772, this lovely church was a group effort by the area’s most important artists. It features a facade and two side altars by…