Congonhas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the airport, see Congonhas International Airport.
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| State Party |  Brazil |
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| Type | Cultural | |
| Criteria | i, iv | |
| Identification | #334 | |
| Region2 | Latin America and the Caribbean | |
| Inscription History | ||
| Formal Inscription: | 1985 9th WH Committee Session |
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| WH link: | http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/334 | |
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1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List |
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Congonhas is a historical Brazilian city located in the state of Minas Gerais. It is situated 90 km south from Belo Horizonte, the capital of state of Minas Gerais, by the highway BR-040. The city has a small population of 50,000.
The city is unremarkable except for its basilica - the Santuário de Bom Jesus de Matosinhos - and associated sculptures which was commissioned by Portuguese adventurer, Feliciano Mendes in the 18th century. It was created by Aleijadinho, one of the best artists in the baroque style in the world. The soapstone sculptures of old testament prophets around the terrace are considered amongst his finest work.
In 1985 UNESCO granted the Sanctuary the title of a World Heritage Site.
[edit] External link
Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves · Brasília · Central Amazon Conservation Complex · Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas · Diamantina · Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves · Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas · Goiás · Iguaçu · Olinda · Ouro Preto · Pantanal Conservation Area · Salvador de Bahia · Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas · São Luís · Serra da Capivara
with Argentina
Ruins of São Miguel das Missões (Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis)
