Andorinhas Falls, Waterfall in Andorinhas Municipal Natural Park, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Andorinhas Falls is a waterfall located within a 557-hectare protected natural area that shelters both Atlantic Forest and Cerrado vegetation zones. Water cascades over rocky ledges and creates small natural pools surrounded by diverse wildlife and plant species.
The protected area was established in 1968 to safeguard the headwaters of Rio das Velhas, a river significant during Brazil's colonial gold mining era. It was expanded in 2005 to strengthen protection of the river and its source region.
Local communities consider this waterfall a spiritual site connected to indigenous legends, while regional stories celebrate its role as a peaceful landmark for reflection and connection with nature.
The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 5 PM with no admission fee. You can reach it by car via Morro São João or walk from Praça Tiradentes using marked trails.
This waterfall marks the primary source of the Rio das Velhas, one of the region's most significant rivers, playing a crucial role in the area's water supply. What many visitors miss is that they are standing at the beginning of a waterway that sustains the landscape for many kilometers downstream.
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