The Caraça Sanctuary Complex is the only Private Nature Reserve (RPPN) with 11.233 hectares of Enchanting Landscapes, the result of the transition between the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, framed by a Mountain Range with peaks over 2,000 metres high, forming part of the Serra do Espinhaço.
The Serra do Espinhaço is a mountain range located on the Atlantic Plateau, stretching across the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia.
The range is also known as the Caraça, due to the shape of one of its peaks, which resembles a Lying Giant with a Big Face – the so-called Caraça.
The temperatures in the region are generally mild or low, with an annual average of around 15°C, due to the altitude – the site is 1,300 metres above sea level. For this reason, warm clothing is essential.
Another curiosity is the dense fog caused by the region’s high humidity, which reaches almost 100 per cent in May and June.
A tourist destination known worldwide for its natural, gastronomic, cultural and religious beauty, the Caraça Sanctuary is located on Estrada do Caraça, km 9, between the towns of Catas Altas and Santa Bárbara, in Minas Gerais, and also has much history to tell.
The Caraça Sanctuary Complex includes
- the Sanctuary Architectural Complex
- the Neo-Gothic church;
- The old school building (now a museum and a library);
- the Tavern;
- the RPPN area;
- and areas designated by the owner as management zones, such as Fazenda do Engenho, Buraco da Boiada and Fazenda do Capivari.
The imposing façade of the Church of Our Lady of Men, built in the Neo-Gothic style, can be seen from afar. Its soapstone and marble structure contains many curiosities that enchant tourists and visitors alike.
It houses the first neo-Gothic church in Brazil:
- The Communion Canvas, by the Master Ataíde, of inestimable value;
- the body of St Pius the Martyr;
- the side-chapels of the old chapel, depicting the Pietà and the Sacred Heart, also painted by Ataíde;
- and the Central French Stained Glass Window, donated by Dom Pedro II during his visit to the site.
The Headquarters also contain
- the Cloister;
- the catacombs;
- the restored ruins of the old college
- the library;
- the Garden with the Sundial
- the Calvary;
- and the Museum, whose collection includes furniture, objects from the daily life of the College and the Seminary, and even the bed in which the Emperor slept.
Part of the college has been converted into a guest house, with converted, simple and small rooms.
A special attraction for visitors is the nocturnal visit of a family of maned wolves, at around 8pm, in the reserve courtyard.
The park is well signposted and equipped, with picnic areas, barbecue pits and monitors for historical activities. There are several trails leading to waterfalls, cascades, natural pools, dams and viewpoints.
The caves also stand out, such as
- Caverna do Centenário, on the Pico do Inficionado, considered the longest quartzite cave in the world in terms of depth, at 485 metres, and the second largest in terms of length of galleries, at around 4,700 metres, on different levels;
- and others, such as the Caverna da Bocaina, which has an internal waterfall.
For long walks and cave exploration, it is recommended to hire specialised guides.
Video on tourist attractions and history of the Caraça Sanctuary
How to get to the Caraça Sanctuary
The Caraça Sanctuary is located 120 kilometres from Belo Horizonte and 26 kilometres from the city of Catas Altas, on a paved road. In a straight line, the distance is 5.5 kilometres, but this route is interrupted by the peaks of Serra de Catas Altas and Pico da Carapuça.
Caraça can be reached from Mariana, Catas Altas or Santa Bárbara.
The best way to get to the Caraça Sanctuary is from the town of Santa Bárbara, as the park entrance is closest to this town, although the main attractions are in Catas Altas.
From Santa Bárbara it’s 6 kilometres to the start of the Estrada do Caraça (MG-436), followed by another 20 kilometres in good traffic conditions. The park’s gate is at kilometre 9 of the road.
Entrance is paid and visitors are given a detailed map and the park rules.
There are no buses to Caraça; access is only by private car or taxi.
Visiting the Caraça Sanctuary
No need for reservations
The Caraça Sanctuary has changed its visitor policy and it is no longer necessary to book in advance. Visitors can go directly to the site, except for groups and travel agencies, who must book in advance.
All public health protocols will be adhered to, including the maximum limit of 400 visitors per day.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. When the limit is reached, the next visitors must wait for new seats to become available, using a rotation system – in other words, as visitors leave, the same number of seats are made available to those waiting.
The shrine is open from 8am to 4.30pm every day of the week. Departures after 5pm are subject to a fine.
Tourist Attractions and History of the Caraça Sanctuary MG
1. Church of Our Lady Mother of Men – Sanctuary of Caraça.
The architectural ensemble of the Caraça Sanctuary is highlighted by the imposing Church of Our Lady Mother of Men, the first neo-Gothic church in Brazil, inaugurated on 27 May 1883 in the presence of the bishops of Rio de Janeiro, Mariana and Bahia.
Architecture and Construction
- Style: Neo-Gothic, a revival of medieval forms as opposed to the classical style that was prevalent in Brazil at the time.
- Tower height: 48 metres.
Materials used
- Soapstone, from the Cascatona area.
- Marble, from Mariana and Itabirito.
- Quartzite, quarried in Caraça and the surrounding area.
- Special mortar made from lime, stone dust and oil.
- Construction was carried out using enslaved labour and local materials, adding to the historic character of the building.
History and symbolism
- It was built on the site of the former Ermida do Irmão Lourenço.
- Two side-chapels from the original church remain.
- The frontispiece shows the symbol of St Francis of Assisi: two clasped hands – one representing Christ and the other St Francis – as Brother Lawrence belonged to the Third Order of Franciscans.
Works and relics
- On the main altar is a Baroque image of Our Lady Mother of Man, brought from Portugal in 1784, carved in a single piece of wood and with gold-painted clothes.
The Last Supper by Ataíde (1828)
One of the main works in the temple is the painting “The Last Supper” by Master Ataíde, considered one of the most beautiful in the collection:
- Christ in the centre, bathed in light, surrounded by the Apostles in groups of three.
- Details include bread, wine in a glass chalice, paschal lamb, basin and towel for washing feet.
- Judas is prominently depicted, holding a purse of money and looking out at visitors from all parts of the church.
- In the corners are figures typical of Ataíde’s work, such as the mulatto woman, the young maid and other popular figures.
Relic of St Pius the Martyr
- The first body of a saint to be brought to Brazil, it was long considered the greatest Christian relic in the country.
- The body, covered in wax, is in a reliquary that also contains sand from the tomb and some blood. You can see the martyr’s fingernails and upper teeth.
A visit to the Church of Our Lady of Men is a true immersion in faith, sacred art and national history, making it one of the main attractions of the Caraça Sanctuary and a highlight for anyone interested in Brazilian religious and cultural heritage.
2. Gastronomy in the Caraça Sanctuary.
Caraça’s Gastronomy is a true invitation to the tradition and taste of Minas Gerais, enriching the visitor’s experience with authentic flavours and centuries-old recipes.
Historic Cafeteria
Visitors have the opportunity to dine in the Old School Cafeteria, an environment full of history and simplicity, where typical dishes of the Minas Gerais Cuisine are served with abundance, variety and that homemade touch that conquers all palates.
Artisan Wine Cellar
There is a wine cellar where you can learn about the artisanal process of making wine:
- Red wine
- Mead (fermented honey drink)
- Fruit ferments: orange, jabuticaba and strawberry
This production revives traditional techniques and adds value to the Sanctuary’s gastronomic and cultural experience.
Bakery and confectionery
The tradition of Minas Gerais is also kept alive in the
- Bakery, where breads, cakes and biscuits are prepared daily.
- Confectionery, where jams, jellies and typical sweets are made with local fruit.
Artisanal Minas cheese
One of the highlights of the local gastronomy is the Minas Artisanal Cheese, whose production method has been preserved for more than 200 years. This cheese forms the basis of a number of dishes and stands out in the festivals and gastronomic competitions held in the region.
3. Source of Knowledge and Heritage.
The Caraça Sanctuary is a place where history, nature, culture and spirituality come together in a unique way. Recognised as a National and State Historical and Artistic Heritage Site, the complex has also been selected as one of the Seven Wonders of the Avenue of the Kings, confirming its importance in the Brazilian tourism and heritage scene.
3.1 Architectural Complex
The complex contains
- The first neo-Gothic church in Brazil: the imposing Church of Our Lady Mother of Men.
- The former building of the Colégio do Caraça, now home to the Library, Museum, Archive and Congress Centre.
- A comfortable hotel with 57 apartments and capacity for up to 230 people.
- The Fazenda do Engenho, with 26 apartments, integrating the proposal of accommodation in harmony with nature.
3.2 Natural wealth
Caraça is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the country. Its Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) is part of two Biosphere Reserves recognised by UNESCO:
- Serra do Espinhaço Sul
- Atlantic Rainforest
The reserve covers a variety of ecosystems, including rupestrian grassland, cerrado and Atlantic rainforest. Fauna highlights include
- 386 species of birds
- 76 species of mammals
- 42 species of reptiles
- 12 species of fish
The flora is equally rich, with endemic and rare species. The area has springs, streams and lakes with dark waters fed by organic matter. The soil, rich in minerals and quartzite, was the target of intense exploitation in the past, but since 2011 the area has been protected from commercial exploitation.
3.3 Importance of water
The territory of Caraça is part of the Environmental Protection Area in the south of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, where two of Brazil’s largest hydrographic basins originate:
- The São Francisco River.
- The Doce River
These basins supply about 70 per cent of the population of Belo Horizonte and 50 per cent of the metropolitan region, which underlines the strategic ecological importance of the Sanctuary.
3.4 Cultural and Educational Centre
Knowledge is an essential part of Caraça’s vocation:
3.5 Library
Housed in the old school building, the library contains a valuable historical and literary collection. Next to it are the Museum, the Historical Archive and the Conference Centre, which host cultural, academic and religious meetings.
3.6 The Museum
The Caraça Museum brings together historical artefacts and antique furniture, many of which were used in the daily life of the school. Guided tours show original objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, allowing you to immerse yourself in the religious, educational and social life of the time.
4. Photo Galleries of the Caraça Sanctuary Complex
5. main attractions of the park, grouped by region, with distances from the headquarters
North of the headquarters
- Cascatona Waterfall: 6 km – easy walk (1h30 out, 2h return). 70 m drop with steps.
- Riverbed walk with canyon: 4 km – Possibility of seeing tapirs, monkeys and birds.
East of the centre
- Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: 30 min easy walk. Built in 1866, altitude 1500m.
- Lourdes Cave: 1 hour walk of medium difficulty. Panoramic view.
- Pico da Carapuça: 4.5 km – 3 hours guided walk. Height 1909m.
- Cascatinha Waterfall: 2 km – Easy trail (30 min). Four waterfalls and a swimming hole. On the way: Ponte de Pedras.
- Pico do Sol: 10.5 km – Difficult walk (4-5 hours), guide required. Highest point of Serra do Espinhaço (2072m).
- Bocaina Waterfall and Cave: 5.5km – easy walk (2 hours to the waterfall), climb to the cave. Grotto: 50m walk in the dark; leads to an internal waterfall.
- Pico Inficionado + Caverna do Centenário: 9.5 km – difficult walk (4-5 hours). Height of 2069m. Cave with underground rivers and waterfalls.
- Pico da Verruguinha: 5.5 km – difficult walk (2h30). Height of 1630m.
South of the centre
- Bode Bridge: Very close – view of the Caraça River.
- Bosque do Padre Leite: Access by gravel road – possible by car.
- Pinheiros (Araucaria) area: 1.8 km – Easy trail. View of the “Giant’s Face”.
- Belchior’s Bath: After the pines – small waterfall.
- Tanque Grande: 800 m – easy walk (15 min). Former dam, no bathing.
- Natural pool: 2km – cold water. Next to the viewpoint (another 15 mins).
- Campos de Fora: 7km – Easy walk (2-3 hours). Rupestrian fields and 40m waterfall.
- Pico da Canjerana: 12km – Moderate walk with guide (3 hours, last 6km uphill). Height: 1850m.
West of Headquarters
- Funnel: 1 hour walk (mostly on tarmac). Underground river under a rock.
- Cascudos Creek: 1 km – Small waterfall.
- Sumidouro and Taboões: 1.7 km – Confluence of streams, falls up to 5m. Access by tarmac road.
- Pico da Conceição: 8.5 km – Difficult trail (4 hours), guide required. View of the whole sanctuary.
- Pico Três Irmãos (or Trindade): 7.5 km – difficult walk (4 hours), with guide. Heights between 1840-1885m.
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