A 57 km from Belo Horizonte and in Estrada Real, the city of Itabirito is located between inspiring mountains and on a soil rich in minerals. It is a city where adventures abound visitors. Riding, cycling and walking through the lush natural beauty, bathing in the clear waterfalls and enjoing the historic train are some of the options of what to do in the area. In addition, the historical context of the city also offers the travellers a rich knowledge, since Itabirito owns churches and buildings that relate faithfully to the times of the colony.

The history of the lands that today are home to the beautiful city began to take shape in the late 17th century, when gold discoveries in Sabará and Ouro Preto's vicinities caused massive displacement of people in the central region of Minas Gerais. Settlers and immigrants from various places began to populate the territory, which soon turned into camps, villages and towns.

The initial settlement in the village and in the districts of Itabirito - Acuruí, Bação and São Gonçalo do Monte - is contemporary to the first auriferous holdings in Minas. The highlights in this period are: the presence of Acuruí district (former Rio das Pedras) in one arm of the Estrada Real connecting Sabara to Ouro Preto; the Itabirito peak as a geographical framework for the displacements of the expeditions by Rio da Velhas; and the construction of most ancient religious temples of Itabirito.

Source: Descubra Minas