This week, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism released a list of 11 historic cities that are now part of the Brazilian Tourism Map. The document gathers municipalities boasting stunning colonial architecture located in the states of Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Maranhão, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, and Amazonas. This mapping serves to direct federal resources focused on preserving the national heritage and fostering the creative economy.
The itinerary encompasses locations already recognized as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The municipality of Ouro Preto, in Minas Gerais, received the title in 1980 for its magnificent buildings erected during the Gold Cycle. Meanwhile, the vibrant city of Olinda, in Pernambuco, makes the selection due to its remarkable architectural complex, internationally protected in 1982.
In the Northern region, the federal government included Manaus in the list due to the outstanding conservation of the Amazonas Theatre, inaugurated in 1896 during the Rubber Cycle. Brazil’s first capital, Salvador, is also part of the governmental planning for the iconic buildings of the Pelourinho and the National Museum of Afro-Brazilian Culture. The cataloging data guides the national air connectivity program in evaluating new commercial flight routes to these enchanting destinations.
Regional Integration and Featured Destinations
Local administrations use this architectural survey to structure annual calendars of engaging activities for visitors. According to the Ministry of Tourism, these organized cultural programs help generate revenue dedicated to protecting ancient urban centers and promoting local tourism. The official document from the federal agency lists the following must-visit destinations:
- Ouro Preto, Diamantina, and São João del-Rei, in Minas Gerais
- Olinda and Recife, in Pernambuco
- São Luís and Alcântara, in Maranhão
- Paraty, in Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador, in Bahia
- Goiás, in the state of Goiás
- Manaus, in Amazonas