The population center of Rio de Contas had its origin in the late seventeenth century, when travelers from Goiás and northern Minas Gerais, in search of the city of Salvador, capital of the Province of Bahia, founded a small village, which took the name of Crioulos – Landing point of the exhausting walk.

This settlement was located on the Serra das Almas Plateau, on the banks of the Rio de Contas Pequeno, today the Rio Brumado.

It was then built a small octagonal chapel, under the invocation of our Lady Santana. Soon after, auriferous veins and gravel were discovered in the bed of the Rio de Contas Pequeno, in its tributaries and surrounding mountains.

This fact attracted a large number of prospectors, predominantly bandeirantes from São Paulo and Minas Gerais who climbed the bed of the Rio de Contas Pequeno and, exploring the nearby mountains, founded three leagues above, at an altitude of 1,450 meters, another settlement – Mato Grosso.

The Jesuits who accompanied the bandeirantes erected a church under the invocation of St. Anthony. In 1718, the first parish of the Alto Sertão Baiano or Sertão de Cima was created, with the name of Parish of Santo Antônio de Mato Grosso.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Jesuits built another church 12 km below the Crioulos village, under the invocation of Nossa Senhora do Livramento.

On October 20, 1722, two villages were created in the interior of Bahia. The villages of Santo Antônio de Jacobina, and Nossa Senhora do Livramento and Minas do Rio de Contas.

Authorized by the Royal Letter of November 27, 1.723, D Vasco César de Menezes commissioned Colonel Pedro Barbosa Leal to erect the village, which took place in 1.724. its Creation, was approved by the Royal Provision dated February 9, 1.725.

By the Royal Provision of October 2, 1.745, the village was authorized to move to the Crioulos village, on the plateau where the city of Rio de Contas is today.

Elevated to a village, the Crioulo village was called Vila Nova de Nossa Senhora do Livramento and Minas do Rio de Contas.

Once the town was transferred, the government of the metropolis “Salvador”, determined the construction of the buildings of the House of Chamber and Jail, City Hall, Foundry House, and the installation of the Pillory.

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Tourist Attractions of Rio de Contas

The municipality of Rio de Contas is now known for its natural beauties, such as waterfalls, rivers, streams, and also has beautiful formations.

The city has the three highest peaks in the northeastern region of Brazil, with more than 2 thousand meters of altitude.

Rio de Contas which was known as the city of gold, today is rich in natural beauty. Because of the high altitudes the city has several mountain ranges, which favors visitors beautiful landscapes.

1. Colonel’s Bridge

A stretch of the Brumado River with several rapids and natural pools. Today the most popular place for visitors.

There are seven wells, with varying depth levels, where children and adults can make the most of this attraction, the place has a simple structure, and has bar service, it also has an area for camping and picnics, today it is

A must-see for visitors to Rio de Contas.

2. Brumado River Waterfall

It is approximately 100 meters high and has four jumps in sequence. With access to the upper part of the waterfall, you can appreciate it in all its splendor frontally and laterally. Excellent point of view for photographs.

The descent near the waterfall requires effort, but it is worth staying on the largest waterfall in the municipality.

4. Fraga Waterfall

Postcard of the municipality of Rio de Contas, the Fraga waterfall has 18 meters of jump and a lot of beauty. From the waterfall you can see the beginning

of Serra das Almas. On the side of the main waterfalls, you have access to the lowest part of the waterfall, which is an excellent viewpoint for photographs.

5. Poço das Andorinhas

Small well with crystal clear waters, hidden in the Serra do Porco Gordo. When you get to the well, several swallows fly out of a small cave that exists on the site, hence the name “well of the swallows”. On the trail heading towards the well, there are several wells and small waterfalls suitable for bathing. It is one of the most beautiful routes of the city of Rio de Contas, but little visited.

6. Jiló Waterfall

Located on the Brumado River, it is on the way to the black well, it is a great place for bathing, the Jiló Waterfall, is formed by small waterfalls.

water rapids, allowing several people to bathe at the same time.

7. Mocotó Waterfall

Between valleys and mountains, on the way there are several coffee plantations, which at the time of flowering happens what the locals call “Bridal Veil”. It is an attraction of several surprises, on the way to the waterfall you pass by a viewpoint, where you have a complete view of Pico das Almas, Pico do Itobira, Serra do Barbado, the Gerais de Mucugê, the Brumado River Dam, the Quilombola Community of Barra, and part of Rio de Contas.

8. Raposo Waterfall

Of small proportions, it is advisable for small groups, the water is clean, access near the waterfall requires effort, the waterfall is

hidden by a small forest, being possible to see the waterfall only near the place.

9. Poço Preto

Great place for bathing, it is 13 km from the city center. There is no beach but you can sit and enjoy the panorama over the rocks of the Brumado River. The well has an approximate depth of 6 meters. Next to Poço Preto are Cachoeira do Jiló and Fazenda Vaccaro, where Serra das Almas Organic Cachaça is made.

10. Royal Road

A cobblestone road, it was used for the flow of gold and the supply of the city in colonial times. This stretch of the Estrada Real, near Rio de Contas, is in good condition, approximately 6 km long. Your

Construction began in 1726.

11. Pico das Almas

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With an altitude of 1,958 meters, it is the third highest point in the northeast. The Serra das Almas is also an ecological sanctuary, where the English Botanical Garden Kew Garden, researched for 20 years. It has a very rich flora with unique plant species on the planet.

It is impossible not to be enchanted by the beautiful rock formations made by nature over time.

The collection of plants on the site is considered a crime against Brazilian heritage.

12. Pico do Itobira with 1970 meters of altitude

With 1,970 meters of altitude, it is the second highest point in the northeast. Along the way you can see various types of orchids, bromeliads,

Velosias, barbacenes, evergreens and carnivorous plants, the variety of plants is very large.

From the high peak, you can see Pico das Almas, Serra do Barbado, Serra do Sincorá, and also a beautiful view of the Brumado River Dam, and part of the city of Rio de Contas.

Along the way there is a small waterfall, and small wells suitable for bathing.

13. Pico do Barbado with 2.033 meters of altitude

Pico do Barbado is the highest point in the northeastern region of Brazil with 2,033 meters of altitude, and separates the cities of Rio de Contas, Abaíra and Rio do Pires. In the woods near the mountain lived the barbado monkey, hence the name “Serra do Barbado” (Barbado Mountain).

There are, however, two ways to climb the mountain, which is the target of many adventurers, who want to overcome this great challenge. The first option takes 5 hours by car round trip and 6 hours walking round trip.

The second option is a 3-hour drive round trip and a 14-hour walk round trip. From the top of the mountain you have a privileged view of the entire Chapada Diamantina, such as Pico das Almas and Pico do Itobira in Rio de Contas, Serra da Tromba, Serra do Sincorá in Ibicoara, Tres Morros in Piatã, Morro do Pai Inácio in Palmeiras.

Monuments in Rio das Contas

The city of Rio de Contas has more than 400 mansions listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute, very well preserved.

Preserved, some houses were built at the time of the foundation of the city in 1,723.

There are some monuments that have been listed separately. When walking through the streets of the city, you will have the impression that you are taking a trip back in time. Rio de Contas is the first planned city in Brazil, its historic center measured 19.2 hectares, when it was founded, all the houses are aligned, with wide streets. The houses were painted white with blue frames.

1. Old House of Chamber and Jail

A magnificent work of colonial architecture from the early 19th century, it currently houses the structure of the judiciary (Forum). The former town hall of the largest province in Bahia, it was also the most feared prison in the Bahian hinterland.

On the main façade we can see the coat of arms of the empire, and on the first floor the prison cell. This monument was listed separately by IPHAN on July 31, 1959.

2. House at Rua Barão de Macaúbas

One of the most different monuments found in the historic city center, there is no other house with the same or similar facade.

3. São Carlos Theater – One of the three oldest in Brazil

Founded in 1,892, it is one of the three oldest in Brazil, and the oldest in the interior of Bahia. located in Largo do Rosário, with a capacity for 120 people seated.

At that time people took their chairs from home to watch the plays, women in turn could only watch, because participating in assemblies was dishonorable by local society. It was the men who cross-dressed to play the female roles.

4. House where Abílio Cesar Borges was born – “The Baron of Macaúbas”

House that once housed the Municipal Public Archive, was where Abílio César Borges was born, the Baron of Macaúbas, on September 9, 1824. He was graduated in medicine from the court academy, was a great educator, and had Rui Barbosa and Castro Alves, as his most famous students.

He organized with his own resources the Zuavos Battalion, which rendered services to the Homeland in the Paraguayan War. He died on January 17, 1891, in Rio de Janeiro.

5. Club Rio-contense

Place where parties were held only for whites, when the old carnivals took place in closed places, and blacks could not enter.

6. Casa de Fundição – Current City Hall of Rio de Contas

At the back of the old building where the current city hall is located, there was an old foundry where gold was melted and transformed into bars. In this same place would also have worked a philosophy faculty.

7. Former town hall

This mansion, which is now a private residence, was the site of the old town hall.

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