At many moments in time this rural district left aside a second role in order to play a leading part in Minas Gerais' history. The Province Governor of colonial times used to live in his rural manor in Cachoeira, and the military cavalry headquarters where Tiradentes was commissioned was also located here. The main church of Our Lady of Nazareth is considered by many the most noteable example of baroque's first phase in Minas Gerais. Its interior is an undescribable profusion of styles. Cachoeira do Campo cannot go unnoticed to the visitor in a trip to Ouro Preto. Distance from county seat: 18 kilometers (7 miles).

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Its main attraction is the Museum of Reduções (reductions: scaled-down models). It is worth visiting it, mainly for the children. Adults also greatly enjoy seeing perfect scaled-down miniature model-versions of significant buildings from all parts of Brazil, made patiently piece by piece of the same building materials used on the original constructions. The reductions represent four centuries of brazilian architecture. Other attractions are the main church of São Gonçalo and the Casa de Pedra (stone house- 18th century), as well as the traditional Festa das Cavalhadas Festival (enacted medieval tournament played on horseback), held in september. Distance from county seat Ouro Preto: 25 kilometers (9.5 miles).

A smallest baroque jewel from the 1700s. This is how this rural district can best be described. The main church of São Bartolomeu, the church of Our Lady of Mercês and the housing rows on the main streets and alleys catch the visitor's eyes. The district is crossed by Rio das Velhas river and is home of charming waterfalls, such as the ones named São Bartolomeu and Macaco Doido (crazy monkey). The place has an old tradition of homemade candies and the festival of the local catholic patron saint, held in august, remind histories of the old gold cycle. Distance: 15 kilometers (8 miles).

One of the oldest rural districts, it is known by both names Casa Branca (white house) or Glaura. It was once a passageway for the bandeirantes explorers from São Paulo. It was also one of the battle grounds of the Guerra dos Emboabas war. The main church of Saint Anthony of Garças Brancas imposes itself in the landscape of this small district. Beautiful images are being researched and restored, revealing their significant and historical value. Fruit and candy produce is a tradition. Distance: 26 kilometers (10 miles).

It is the most recent district and is 35 kilometers (13.5 miles) far from the county seat Ouro Preto. The beauty of the landscape renders its impression: a long and deep valley leading down to the small community. At the bottom, a graceful river meets with countless creeks forming rapids and short waterfalls. To the top, the visitor can spot the impressive Cachoeira do Rapel waterfall, boasting a 200-meter (660-foot) plus fall. The neighboring district Lavras Novas stands at the highest level of this waterfall. Maintaining an unspoiled original and authentic countryside style, the district offers poor facilities for the visitor, but is a great choice for oriented ecological tours.

Tranquility is the highlight of this rural district, an ideal resting place for the traveler surrounded by the landscape. It gave birth to Honório Esteves, one of the greatest Minas Gerais' painting artists of the 1800s. The ceiling of the church of Saint Anthony still bears remnants of one of his paintings. Distance: 25 kilometers (9.5 miles).

Home of the only Imperial Topaz mine of the world. Surrounded by hills and isolated in its calmness, the district reveals waterfalls in its surroundings. In Santa Quitéria Highs the peaks of Itacolomi and Itabirito are sighted. Distance: 18 kilometers (7 miles).

A sub-district of Ouro Preto, Chapada offers the visitor the chapel of Santana and the Castelinho waterfall. Distance: 11 kilometers (4 miles).

Also known as São Julião. The place was once an important railroad center and one of the pioneering facilities of Brazil's steel industry. The glorious days are gone and today there are only a few hundred of the original inhabitants. It is located to the side of the Ouro Branco mountain range, which guarantees a beautiful landscape scenery. Excellent fishing excursions are possible in the big dam nearby, at the foot of the imposing mountain. Distance: 40 kilometers (15 miles).

It is the capital of soapstone, a plastic material that constituted one of the privileged pillars for the creative explosion of Minas Gerais' Baroque. Local production supplies national and international soapstone market demand. Distance: 30 kilometers (11.5 miles).

It was one of the first mining settlements of Minas Gerais. An interesting attraction is the burned remnants of the church of Our Lady of Conception, carrying in its interior a curious cemetery today. Its imposing façade, built with big stone blocks, catches the visitor's attention. Another interesting touring spot is Gruta da Lapa cave, that holds a small chapel in its interior. Distance: 16 kilometers (6 miles) from Ouro Preto and 9 kilometers (3.5 miles) from Mariana.

A rural district 30 kilometers (11.5 miles) far from the county seat Ouro Preto concentrating its economic activities in agriculture. Traditional festivals, as in other districts, are the highlights for the visitor's eyes.