Video: Ouro Preto, Site of Brazil's Gold Rush
A glimpse at Brazil's historic Ouro Preto, the center of a major gold rush and home to fine examples of Portuguese architecture.
Wherever gold is found, a rush of people follow. This story was no different in the Brazilian city of Ouro Preto, or ‘Black Gold.’ The discovery of large gold deposits in the state of Minas Gerais brought hundreds of thousands to Brazil in the early 18th century. Among them were free men and women, but also just as many enslaved people from Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean. They primarily extracted gold to enrich Colonial Portugal, which received over 800 tons of the precious metal. Some gold, however, remained within communities like Ouro Preto, where it allowed for impressive building projects. At its height, Ouro Preto was one of the largest cities in the Americas. Its cathedrals and homes in the Baroque Portuguese style have survived for centuries, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This video, courtesy of UNESCO, explores the history and heritage of Ouro Preto, including its legacy of colonialism and slavery.
Further Reading:
“Historic Town of Ouro Preto.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO, whc.unesco.org/en/list/124.
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
