Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, Congonhas

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas is A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of Brazilian baroque art. The life-size, soapstone sculptures of the 12 apostles are a sight to be seen, especially considering Aleijadinho lost his hands and had to rely on the help of an apprentice. Follow the cobblestone walkway up the hill, which is lined on both sides by small, plaster “temples”, each dedicated to a saint and whitewashed. Visit the small building to the left of the church where you will see hundreds of gratitude letters from people whose wishes or miracles came true. Some of them even date back to the eighteen hundreds. Take a peek inside the basilica where the altar and set of angels form a harmonious whole. All of this can be seen within a two-hour trip. Arrange for a taxi from Ouro Preto, which will take you a little over one hour, since taking the bus is not practical. Using our world travel planner, Congonhas attractions like Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.