It was in the late 17th century that Bandeirantes discovered large amounts of gold in a river, which they gave the name of Ribeirão de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.They built a chapel, giving rise to a settlement that would develop into Mariana, the first village established in the captaincy of Minas Gerais. Even after losing the throne of capital in 1720, the city did not lose its relevance.
Today whoever walks through the sumptuous colonial mansions finds rich adornments and soapstone balconies, as well as majestic churches, such as the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte.
The Passagem Mine, the largest gold mine open to visitors in the world, is also a tourist attraction of Mariana. Listed as national monument in 1945, Mariana is one of the brightest jewels of the historical mining circuit and a feast for those who love architecture, art and history.