Catas Altas is a graceful colonial town that was founded in 1712.
Located 110 kilometres from Belo Horizonte on the MG-129 and BR-381 motorways, it borders Santa Bárbara, Mariana and Alvinópolis.
Located at the foot of the Caraça mountain range, especially the peak of Catas Altas, at an altitude of 1,820 metres, it has low buildings and cobblestones in the centre.
The parish church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Praça Monsenhor Mendes, s/n), a federal heritage site, houses the sculpture of the Crucified Christ by Aleijadinho.
Facing the chain of mountains, its churchyard offers a beautiful panoramic view.
Another important religious building is the small Santa Quitéria chapel (Santa Quitéria square), with its baroque interior in the Joanine style.
Catas Altas is known for the production of liqueurs, jams and jabuticaba wine.
At the end of the first fortnight in May, the producers gather in front of the headquarters for the Wine Festival.
Catas Altas
History
Located at the foot of the Serra do Caraça and sheltered by the foothills of the Serra do Espinhaço, the formation of the town that gave rise to the current municipality began at the end of the 17th century around 1694 with the discovery of rich gold mines later called Catas Altas.
Domingos Borges is credited with founding the settlement in 1703.
The history of Catas Altas, like that of many towns in Minas Gerais, is related to the mining cycle of the 18th century.
The name “Catas Altas” comes from the deep excavations that were made at the top of the hills.
The word “catas” means mining, digging more or less deeply, depending on the nature of the land for mining.
In the town, the catas, the garimpos, the richest and most productive mines, were located in the highest parts, at the top of the mountains, which is why the current town became known as Catas Altas.
When the mines ran out, the town was practically abandoned.
In 1868, Monsignor Manuel Mendes Pereira de Vasconcelos arrived in Catas Altas to become the vicar of the village.
The priest noticed the absence of any form of subsistence farming.
He taught the people how to plant the vines, the pruning and harvesting times, how to crush the grapes, the fermentation period and proper storage so that nothing would change.
And so the vicar managed to increase the production of wine in Catas Altas, always with better quality.
Between 1839 and 1995, Catas Altas belonged to the municipality of Santa Bárbara and was emancipated by law no. 12.030 of 21 December 1995.
Catas Altas MG - História e Atrações Turísticas
Tourist Attractions
- Walk through the Historic Centre of Catas Altas
- Visit and stay at the Caraça Sanctuary
- Visit the Chapel of Santa Quitéria and the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
- Get to know the region’s beautiful waterfalls, such as Cachoeira do Maquiné, Castatinha, Cascatona and Cachoeira da Santa
- Ecotourism
Ecotourism
Catas Altas has waterfalls and climbing spots.
The Estrada Real Park trail starts 2 kilometres from the centre.
It consists of a 5.7 kilometre stretch of dirt road overlapping the old Estrada Real, which in the 18th century connected the town to Mariana.
The route can be done on foot or by bicycle and borders the tracks of the old Centro Atlântica railway, which runs from Belo Horizonte to Vitória.
From the end of the Parque Estrada trail it’s just 500 metres to the Santa waterfall, with a 12-metre drop and shallow well, ideal for children.
The Trail to the Peak of Catas Altas, 4.5 kilometres from the centre, requires a guide: made up of ubidas, it reveals waterfalls and streams along the way.
A 30-minute trail leads to the upper part of the Maquiné waterfall, 3 kilometres from the centre, with a 14-metre drop, a bathing pool and natural showers.
The Morro de Água Quente spa (access via the MG-129 to Mariana, km 97, 6 kilometres from the centre of Catas Altas), with natural pools with thermal waters at 28°C, is the starting point for a trail of approximately 1 kilometre along the Mosquito stream, where you’ll find old stone pestles, water tanks made of the same material and a hot water well.
The Bicame de Pedra aqueduct, dating from 1792, was built by slaves to collect water from the Serra do Caraça and wash the gold. It is located 10 kilometres from the centre, two of them on land (via the MG-129 to Santa Bárbara).
The monument was built using techniques inspired by Roman art, without the need for cement or mortar. In the arch of the portal, you can see that the quartzite stones have been placed in such a way that they lock together.
Today, only 200 metres remain of the dry stone wall, which at its highest point is about 5.10 metres high.
From there, a 1.5 kilometre walk takes you to the trail that leads to the transparent Quebra Ossos stream, surrounded by white sandy beaches.
The peak of Baiano (6 kilometres from the centre via the Estrada Real) – one of the most famous among climbers – is 2016 metres high, with 850 metres of routes with fixed safety crampons. Who takes you: Catas Alfas Tourist Drivers Association (Praça Monsenhor Mendes, 362).
