Pirenópolis – A Rural City in the Heart of Brazil

Pirenópolis is a small city in the interior of Goiás and part of the national heritage which has preserved its ancient and rural appearance surrounded by hills and waterfalls. At the same time, this city represents the history of Goiás where a hospitable, cheerful, and festive people live together in an environment of extreme natural beauty. If you want to visit a typical Brazilian city on your Brazil trip Pirenópolis has a lot to offer! More about this in the following article.

All of Brazil and, of course, Goiás is strongly influenced by the culture of the various indigenous tribes. In the state of Goiás, it was mainly the Goyaz tribe of the same name. Besides the Goyaz, the tribes of the Caiapós, Acroás, Bororos, Karajás, Xavantes, Xerentes, and Xacriabás also lived in this area. Most of them were nomadic and therefore not sedentary. After the conquest by the Portuguese, there were numerous battles between whites and Indian tribes, in which thousands of people died on both sides, but mainly among the Indians. The whites prevailed and from then on displaced the Indian tribes.

Minas de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Meia Ponte, the first name of the city of Pirenópolis, founded in 1727, has its origin in the gold deposits discovered by Amaro Leite. The original name recalls the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, built between 1728 and 1732. At times it was the largest church in the Middle East of Brazil. Most of the miners came from the north of Portugal and from Galicia. The town and its population continued to develop, gold mining flourished, and four new churches were built around 1750: Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo, and Igreja Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte da Lapa. Some of them are still preserved today.

By 1800, gold deposits were exhausted and agriculture replaced mining as the main occupation.
From 1800, trade in mules, sugar cane, and cotton intensified, with the textile industry of Great Britain particularly interested in the region's cotton. It was also at this time that the Babilônia farm, one of the attractions of Pirenópolis, was created.

In 1819, the first "Festival in Honor of the Divine and Eternal Father", in Portuguese "Festa do Divino Espírito Santo", was held. 1826 was the beginning of the Cavalhadas de Pirenópolis. Here, the place was called Vila de Meya Ponte, in its current spelling Vila de Meia Ponte.

From the middle of the 19th century, the economic power of the region declined sharply. In turn, trade in Santana das Antas became much stronger. Attempts to resume gold mining failed. To make the town more attractive again, the name was changed to Pirenópolis. The idea was that Pirenópolis should be a place for cultural festivals, spectacles, and activities. Thus, in 1899, a theater was also built, which contributed significantly to the fact that parts of the city had electricity from 1924. It was replaced in 1936 by the Cine Pireneus, an art deco building.

The trade in stones from Pirenópolis flourished in 1960, mainly because of the construction of Brasília. This greatly improved the infrastructure and made tourism really possible. Since then, the city has become one of the most famous tourist cities in the Midwest of Brazil. Old buildings were renovated, many hotels and guesthouses were built, and natural attractions were marketed for tourism.

In the Serra do Pireneus the nature reserve Parque Estadual da Serra dos Pireneus was established in 1987. Its highest point, Pico dos Pireneus, 20 kilometers away, is a popular destination for excursions because of its beautiful view. During the first full moon in July, the Moon Festival is held on this peak, where the inhabitants perform baptisms and redeem promises.

Pirenópolis is also known for its more than 70 silversmithing studios which form the largest center in Brazil for the sale of silver crafts. All these elements make Pirenópolis a national heritage site that has preserved its ancient and rural appearance surrounded by hills and waterfalls. A vivid portrait of the history of Goiás where a hospitable, cheerful, and festive people live together in an environment of extreme natural beauty.

The colonial houses that line the cobblestone streets are the face of the city. It is difficult not to notice the colors that occupy the streets with the wooden windows and doors always capriciously painted.

In addition, Pirenópolis has a very impressive historic center with many old and beautiful buildings. It is worth visiting the historic buildings of the Cine Pireneus, the old theater of Pirenópolis, and the old parliament and prison building which now houses the "Museum of the Divine". A visit to the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim and the Church and Museum of Sacred Art of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is also a good choice. On the way there, you should cross the Rio das Almas bridge from which you can see the impressive Igreja Matriz in the middle of the city scenery. In doing so you actually only have to walk through the streets and there are very many opportunities for beautiful pictures and photos!

There are over eighty waterfalls in the city, several of which offer infrastructure for tourists. After a walk through the historic center it is time to visit the waterfalls of Pirenópolis. There are many options for those who want to enjoy a nice freshwater bath surrounded by nature. The easy access to the waterfalls makes the trip suitable for everyone. There is no need to walk long distances and in many cases the path to the waterfall is even paved. A good choice for those who don't feel like long hikes. But hikers are not left out either!

Among the most popular waterfalls are the Abade Waterfall, the Lázaro Waterfall, the Santa Maria Waterfall, the Rosário Waterfall, the Bom Sucesso Waterfalls, the Paraíso Waterfall, and the Lobo Waterfall Complex, as well as the Dragões Waterfalls. Those who have more time in the city can also visit the Araras Waterfall, the Coqueiro and Garganta Waterfalls, the Meia Lua Waterfall, the Usina Velha Waterfall, the Vagafogo Sanctuary, and even extend the visit to the Saldo do Corumbá. So there are a great number of swimming options with something for everyone!

Pirenópolis offers visitors some small museums that tell the history of the city and the past of Goiás. It is worth taking a tour of these museums to learn more about the region. One example is the Rodas do Tempo Museum which tells the story of two-wheelers and is open daily during regular hours. The collection is extensive and the exhibition fascinating even for those who are not collectors or fans of bicycles and motorcycles.
Other museums worth visiting in Pirenópolis include the Museum of the Divino, housed in the old House of the Chamber and Chain, and the Museum of the Cavalhadas, both dedicated to the Festa do Divino, the city's most traditional religious festival. For those interested in sacred art, it is also worth visiting the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Since Pirenópolis has a very active nightlife on weekends and is visited by many people during this time, Friday and Saturday nights are always very lively. On the other days of the week, the rhythm of the night in the city is rather quiet. On Friday, however, the streets are packed, the restaurants crowded, and the bars lively. In the Rua do Lazer, you can enjoy live music at many outdoor tables, accompanied by good beer and wines from the region. The party is really at the table. It's a great opportunity to strike up a conversation with the locals.

Pirenópolis is a city that embodies many typical elements of Brazilian life and has a very exciting story to tell. The beautiful nature and waterfalls make this area ideal for hikers and families in addition to the cultural activities. And on the weekends there is plenty of fun and live music for those who want to enjoy the late hours. For your own Brazil vacation this is an ideal all-around package!

Sources: guia.melhoresdestinos.com.br, www.pirenopolis.tur.br