Discover one of the most striking sections of Ouro Preto’s mining heritage. The route leading to Alto do Xéu and the Mina da Barragem geosite is a short, accessible walk that is exceptionally rich in history. The trail begins at Mina Du Veloso and follows ancient mining paths to well-preserved structures of the Xéu 1 and Xéu 2 aqueducts, which once carried vast volumes of water used for gold extraction in the 18th century.
Upon reaching Mina da Barragem, visitors encounter water storage reservoirs, mining platforms, and a well-maintained trail that allows a close look at the engineering techniques of the time. From this point, there is also an impressive view of the hydraulic mining area—an enormous open-cut excavation that carved through the mountainside during mining operations.
The transformation of the landscape is clearly visible, making it easy to imagine the power of the water that once moved tons of gold-bearing material.
The full route forms a circuit of approximately 3.3 km, with an average duration of about 3 hours, ideal for those seeking a historical, archaeological, and contemplative experience without significant physical difficulty.
Xéu 1 and Xéu 2 Aqueducts: Preserved final sections, with easy access via trail.
Colonial Reservoirs: Authentic water storage structures used in the gold mining process.
Privileged View of the Open-Cut Excavation: A rare and striking perspective on the hydraulic mining method.
Mining Platforms: Archaeological remains of great historical value.
Short and Accessible Route: Ideal for those who want to experience mining history without intense physical effort.
What's Included + Important Notices
Guided tour / trail along the entire route.
Accompanied by a local guide specialized in Afro-Brazilian history and culture.
⚠️ Important Notices:
Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended.
The tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Extra Services
Hotel Pick-Up Included
TripAdvisor Reviews
Posted on Tripadvisor
Wellington Porto
Verified
Interessante, difícil de encontrar é uma entrada de R$70,00 por pessoa.
Interessante! Visita com guia, com informações sobre exploração do ouro com escravos. Entrada a R$70,00 por pessoa. Local muito escondido, quase desistimos de encontrar. Parece no meio de uma favela, mas é muito interessante.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Nelson O
Verified
Imperdível
Visita incrível em Ouro Preto, com bastante contextualização da história ligando o passado e o presente e a importância negra para o desenvolvimento de Ouro Preto e do Brasil. Recomendo demais!
Posted on Tripadvisor
FranciscoRP2015
Verified
vale conhecer
Fez parte de um tour pela cidade, mas é um passeio que deve ser realizado, pelo menos uma das minas deve ser visitado para se entender o processo de exploração como um todo.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Quezia de Souza
Verified
Gostei muito do passeio. Equipe preparada para dar as explicações. O valor da entrada é R$70,00. Vale muito a pena! A cerveja também é boa.
