Brazil: Tiradentes

From Sao Joao del Rei, we visited another gold town less than 10 miles away, Tiradentes, named after the national hero, whose trade was dentistry (tiradentes = teeth pulling), a leading figure in the Inconfidência Mineira, the failed revolutionary movement against Portuguese rule in 1789.

We first took a ride hailing car to Mark Zero of the Estrada Real (Royal Road) where gold was transported during the gold rush. The marker seemed to be in a rather arbitrary location, but surely was "mark zero" of our hike. Parts of the trail were indeed on the old road, with big flagstones. We walked to a viewpoint overlooking the town then walked down into the town. Tiradentes was full of tourists enjoying the Sunday. There happened to be some cultural events at different venues. The place was rather festive.

We had to decide whether to base ourselves in Sao Joao del Rei or Tiradentes. I'm still undecided.

Marco Zero Giant Letters. Plus a group of pilgrims in pink shirts (2nd below) was warming up for a walk on the Royal Road over the hills to Aguas Santas (my guess). Look for the actual "Marco" at the left of that photo.




To start the walk, we took the straight uphill short cut, and it was an hour until we saw the pilgrims again.


After a bit of a scramble, the trail leveled out.






And soon we were walking uphill on the blue flagstones of the Royal Road.




After entering the edge of a controlled burn, we took a right and headed up to a viewpoint of Tiradentes.


And had a snack at the viewpoint.






We then retraced our route and took the left-hander towards Tiradentes.


On the way back down to the Royal Road we saw the pilgrims, in pink, heading over the hill to Aguas Santos.


The signboard where we popped out onto the road at the edge of Tiradentes.


While waiting for the Sunday service at Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio to conclude, we sat on a bench and enjoyed a well-earned rest. When the service ended, we ate our lunch.


San Antonio was the highlight of Tiradentes.




The classic Tiradentes view from Santo Antônio (1st below) and (2nd below) an awesome photo taken by SL of the church altar. Not to mention Sao Sebastao (3rd).






The ceiling of Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos.




Tiradentes is a tourist town, thus horsecarts and dancers.




Fountain of St. Joseph (Chafariz de São José).


Tiradentes Railway Station.


Bonus: On the bus from Petropolis to São João del Rei