Water Circuit

The therapeutic action of the waters of Minas Gerais of the mining area was discovered at the beginning of the XIX century and nowadays has been proven scientifically. People from all over the world bathe in these waters or daub themselves with the mud of the circuit towns in order to cure stress, muscular pains, rheumatism, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, intestinal and stomach disorders and depression, among other complaints.

Minas Gerais is the land of minerals, of wealth below the ground. From this ground spring waters that are gaseous, ferruginous, carbonated, radioactive, sulphurous, containing calcium, magnesium and sodium as well as other chemical compounds - chemicals that originate from nature and which are found chiefly in the south of Minas Gerais, in the Serra da Mantiqueira region. The main hydromineral and thermal centres are in the towns of Araxá, Cambuquira, Caxambu, Lambari, Poços de Caldas and São Lourenço.

Each of the towns on the circuit has its springs of "miraculous" waters. São Lourenço is encircled by the green of the Serra da Mantiqueira and offers several springs. Close to São Lourenço is the placid Cambuquira, sought after because of its pure air, climate, which is always between 10° and 26° C, and the waters whose "unusual" taste was discovered by fleeing slaves. The waters of Caxambu are said to have been sought by Princess Isabel and her husband, the Count of D'Eu, for fertility treatment. The Morro de Caxambu, 1,050 metres high, has an observation point with panoramic views of the entire region.

Still in the south of Minas Gerais is Lambari, formerly known as Águas Virtuosas. In its Parque de Águas (Water Park) are four springs of ferruginous and gaseous waters, much sought-after for the treatment of the kidneys, arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. In the area surrounding Lambari are fine waterfalls and cascades. Less well known than its neighbours, but equally rich in mineral waters, the town of Passa Quatro is situated at a height of 911 metres, encircled by some of the highest mountains in Brazil, where mountaineering is practised.

Poços de Caldas is possibly the most famous of all the thermal resorts. Near Poços de Caldas is the town of Caldas, famous for its wines and the Grape Festival which takes place every year in the second half of January. It is in the Serra do Maranhão and is an ideal resort for anyone wishing to rest or take in plenty of pure air and beautiful landscapes. The Parque Balneário (Spa) where the River Verde flows between mountains forming wells and waterfalls, has a sauna, hydromassage, circular shower, immersion bath and three mineral springs.

Araxá

Araxá is the home of Dona Beija, one of the most famous ladies of the Court during the Empire. In addition to the waters, Araxá is noted for its black mud, volcanic in origin and used for treating rheumatism and skin disorders. In the spa next to the Grande Hotel, treatments are given in saunas, showers, hydrotherapy, mecanotherapy with application of the medicinal mud. The Grande Hotel is in a park with a wood, lake and a cascade, laid out by the Brazilian landscape architect, Burle Marx. The small town of Araxá also offers areas of interest to tourists such as the Mata da Cascatinha where Dona Beija is said to have bathed nude, scandalizing the society of the day; the Sacred Museum of the Church of São Sebastião and the Dona Beija Museum itself in the house where she died, dating from the beginning of last century.

Poços de Caldas

Poços de Caldas is possibly the most famous of all the thermal resorts Built at an altitude of 1,184 metres on the crater of an extinct volcano, it offers sulphurous, ferruginous and radioactive waters, spread between several springs around the town. Some waters reach the surface at 45°C. Poços de Caldas offers several other attractions, like the Hill of Christ the Redeemer, 1,678 metres high, and visited by cablecar. The town is one of the chief centres of glass craftsmanship brought to Brazil by Italian artists from the island of Murano, near Venice. In the surrounding area are the waterfalls of Antas (tapirs), 100 metres high, Andorinhas (Swallows) and Véu da Noiva (Bride's Veil).