Area 1,464 km² Number of airports 1 | Local time Tuesday 3:42 AM | |
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Weather 16°C, Wind E at 10 km/h, 92% Humidity Colleges and Universities Federal University of São João del-Rei, Instituto de Ensino Superior Presidente Tancredo Neves Points of interest Museu de Arte Sacra, Museu da FEB (CeSC), Museu Regional de S Joã, Cachoeira Cala Boca ‑ Reserva, Solar dos Neves | ||
São João del Rei, also spelled São João del Rey or São João del-Rei, is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Minas Gerais. It is a historical city with much 18th-century architecture. The current population is estimated at 85,000 inhabitants.
Contents
- Map of SC3A3o JoC3A3o del Rei State of Minas Gerais Brazil
- Location
- History
- Culture
- Cathedrals and churches
- Famous people from So Joo del Rey
- Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas
- References
Map of S%C3%A3o Jo%C3%A3o del Rei - State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Location
It is located in the drainage basin of the Rio Grande and its terrain is located in the Mantiqueira mountains. It is a centre for the cities in the south and southeast of Minas Gerais.
The municipality contains part of the Ritápolis National Forest.
History
The city was founded by the bandeirantes; Tomé Portes del-Rei is considered the city's founder. The original small village situated in southern Minas Gerais was created as a staging post on the Estrada Real, a trade route from the coast at Paraty to cities in the central region of Minas Gerais such as Ouro Preto, Mariana and Conselheiro Lafaiete. Later huge amounts of gold were found near the city itself.
Culture
Today, São João del-Rei is a university town. The campus of the Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ) and a number of other educational institutions are present in the city. A second medical school is to be established at the University.
The city has many famous religious festivals through the year, most of them preserving the way it was celebrated by the time of the foundation, with baroque music and special celebrations that attracts tourists from all over the world, particularly during Holy Week, when the town receives the greatest influx of visitors.
Cathedrals and churches
Famous people from São João del Rey
São João del-Rei is the birthplace of some distinguished people, amongst whom are President Tancredo Neves, Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, Otto Lara Resende, José Maria Xavier, and Francisca Paula de Jesus.
Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas
São João del Rei was an important station on the Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas, a narrow gauge railway characterised by woodburning steam locomotives, and the location of a major roundhouse. The station and surrounding facilities have been turned into Brazil's largest railway museum, and a tourist railway operates from the station to the well preserved colonial town of Tiradentes.