Unexpected Beauty: Windows & Doors of Minas Gerais, Brazil
I knew the historic towns of Minas Gerais, Brazil, would be nice, but I didn’t expect the special atmosphere and beauty that we found in each town. One after another was filled with perfectly preserved historic buildings. The buildings’ details of color, shape, and material make up the windows and doors of Ouro Preto, Tirandentes, Congonhas, and Mariana. The unexpected beauty in the historic architecture of Minas Gerais kept me fascinated and wishing for more time to just wander with my camera. Let me know which is your favorite!
These ceramic “ladies in waiting” rest on windowsills of Minas Gerais, symbolizing a single woman looking for a suitor. On Tiradentes Square in Ouro Preto.
The windowsills and doorways of this woodworkers’ shop in Tiradentes are painted in the blue that is so typical of this region.
The bright blue doors of the tourism office in Congonhas reveals something unexpected.
A window of sorts that reveals the “The Last Supper,” part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site work of Brazil’s most respected sculptor, Aleijadinho.
Views like this seem to be around every corner in Ouro Preto, a town that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.These windows, supposedly made like this so neighbors could spy on others without being noticed, are very common in Minas Gerais but were outlawed in Sao Paulo.The intricate balconies of Ouro Preto reflect the town’s former wealth as a center of Brazil’s Gold Rush.An old residence with a saint to protect the house from envy
Where have you fallen in love with beautiful windows and doors? Have you seen the historic architecture of Minas Gerais or another place in Brazil?
I read the sotry of the Aleijadinho years ago but didn’t really look into it further. Now I see how incredibly beautiful his hometown is! I adore those Portuguese tiles, they’re gorgeous.
My favourite window is the yellow one with the roundel (?) above.
That looks so beautiful! I’m really crazy about beautiful windows too, always look around for them and take lots of pictures 🙂 If I find windows like these in Brazil (I’m leaving in less than a month!:)) I’m sure I will love the place 🙂
Would love to go back to Ouro Preto one day. Spend some days there on a botanical excursion in 2003. My favourite is the spy one almost down the list, lovely geometry 😉
I read the sotry of the Aleijadinho years ago but didn’t really look into it further. Now I see how incredibly beautiful his hometown is! I adore those Portuguese tiles, they’re gorgeous.
My favourite window is the yellow one with the roundel (?) above.
It was interesting to see his work in Congonhas and Ouro Preto. What a talented artist he was!
The third one down, with the blue and white tile wall is my favorite. I’m a sucker for colorful tile
I love tile like this, too, and was happy when I saw a building covered in it 🙂
Wow – so many stunning & intriguing images. I love them all, but I think my favorites are the windows with the little ladies looking out…
I loved the windows and doors in Italy and Brittany. I could have taken a picture every few steps. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Jenna!
Glad you enjoyed them. I still have lots of photos to show you from our trip one day! 🙂
That looks so beautiful! I’m really crazy about beautiful windows too, always look around for them and take lots of pictures 🙂 If I find windows like these in Brazil (I’m leaving in less than a month!:)) I’m sure I will love the place 🙂
I’m so excited to follow along with your Brazil trip! Do you know if you’ll be going to Minas Gerais?
I love this post, Jenna! Love the colors.
Thanks, Charu!
I’ll be ‘pinning’ a few of these to my Blue Inspiration page, Jenna! I love the individuality of these facades and details.
Ooh, I’ll have to check out your page on Pinterest.
Would love to go back to Ouro Preto one day. Spend some days there on a botanical excursion in 2003. My favourite is the spy one almost down the list, lovely geometry 😉
A botanical excursion? That sounds interesting! I hope you get back there one day, It’s not exactly easy to get to, but it’s so, so beautiful.