Colonial Brazil

A view of the Sao Francisco Church in Mariana, the oldest city in Minas Gerais state, founded in 1703. The soapstone relief on the doorway is by Aleijadinho. Development of the region was fueled by the discovery of gold in the 18th century, which is the reason for the multitude of colonial cities. Today the state still depends on mining, but now it is iron-ore and other industrial minerals. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

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A view of the Sao Francisco Church in Mariana, the oldest city in Minas Gerais state, founded in 1703. The soapstone relief on the doorway is by Aleijadinho. Development of the region was fueled by the discovery of gold in the 18th century, which is the reason for the multitude of colonial cities. Today the state still depends on mining, but now it is iron-ore and other industrial minerals. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

engle brazil brasil mariana minas gerais historic colonial barroque