Time Stands Still in a Colonial Hamlet
When Ouro Preto became this once-affluent province’s 19th-century capital following an earlier gold boom, Tiradentes missed out on the development, remaining remote and rural – much as it is today. Situated between the picturesque Rio das Mortes and the Atlantic forest at the foot of the mighty Serra São José mountain, its nine winding streets and seven impressive Baroque churches would still be recognized by those who knew Tiradentes in its 18th-century splendor.
A smattering of contemporary art studios, galleries, and small restaurants have arrived as the town has become a favored weekend getaway for escapees from Rio and Belo Horizonte. The charming inn Solar da Ponte is an Anglo-Brazilian collaboration that has become a beloved home away from home for a diverse roster of international guests. This small pousada captures the spirit of a rustic but elegant country home in an 18th-century village with warm hospitality and old-world charm. There are freshly cut flowers from the garden in each of the spacious guest rooms, which have been beautifully decorated with the traditional regional handcrafts and designs for which the Minas Gerais region is known.
