São João del Rei

São João del Rei is a municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil, that stretches across two hills along the Lenheiro River. It sits at an elevation of 860 meters and covers an urban area of roughly 1,450 square kilometers.

Bandeirantes discovered gold deposits here in 1713, which made the settlement grow rapidly. It became an important junction on the Estrada Real trade route between the coast and the mines inland.

The municipality keeps a lively calendar of religious celebrations that draw visitors throughout the year. Processions and music shape these events, while local customs become visible in the streets.

Six highways lead here and connect the municipality with larger towns in the region. Bus links to Belo Horizonte and São Paulo depart regularly from the central station.

A railway museum operates a heritage steam locomotive service from the 1920s, running twice weekly on the route to Tiradentes. The journey shows the old technology in action and passes through countryside inland.

Location: Minas Gerais

Inception: December 8, 1701

Elevation above the sea: 1,025 m

Shares border with: Barbacena, Nazareno, Santa Cruz de Minas, Coronel Xavier Chaves, Piedade do Rio Grande, Carrancas, Madre de Deus de Minas, Conceição da Barra de Minas, Ibertioga, Ritápolis, Prados, Tiradentes

Website: https://saojoaodelrei.mg.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -21.13583,-44.26194

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05