Pirenópolis
Colonial Gold Mining Town Founded 1727, Protected As National Heritage; Home Of The Festa Do Divino And Its Cavalhadas · Pirenópolis, Goiás
Pirenópolis is a colonial gold-mining town in Goiás, founded in 1727, about two hours from both Brasília and Goiânia, and it has become the weekend escape of the Brazilian capital. Its cobbled streets of low, colourful colonial houses run down to the Rio das Almas, and its main church, the Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, was rebuilt after a fire in 2002. The town is famous for the Festa do Divino, held around Pentecost, when the Cavalhadas are staged: a three-day mock battle on horseback between Christians and Moors in elaborate costumes, with masked riders, the mascarados, roaming the town. The hills around it hold dozens of waterfalls on private reserves, such as the Santuário de Vida Silvestre Vargem Grande and the Cachoeira do Abade, most charging a small entry. Pirenópolis is also known for silver jewellery and for a relaxed dining and bar scene on the Rua do Lazer. Weekends are busy with visitors from Brasília; weekdays are calm.
Centro Histórico, Pirenópolis, GO, Pirenópolis, Goiás, Brazil
The town itself is always open, but it runs on a weekend rhythm. From Friday to Sunday it is full, with restaurants and bars on the Rua do Lazer open late; midweek many restaurants, shops and some pousadas reduce hours or close for a day or two. The waterfalls are on private reserves, each with its own entry fee and daytime hours, usually from morning to late afternoon, and some close on certain weekdays or limit visitor numbers, so a midweek plan needs checking first. In the rainy season reserves close trails and pools after heavy rain because of flash floods. The churches and the small museums open in daytime with a lunch break. The Festa do Divino and the Cavalhadas take place around Pentecost, a date that moves each year - confirm it, and book months ahead if you want to be there.