Caraça, Mountain sanctuary in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Caraça is a mountain sanctuary in Minas Gerais, Brazil, set across a forested range with peaks reaching 2000 meters (6560 feet). The private reserve covers more than 11,000 hectares with dense Atlantic forest and open savannah sections connected by walking trails.
During the 18th-century gold rush, the region served as an important passage for the settlement of the interior. Priests later founded a school and religious center here that drew students from across the country until the 20th century.
The name comes from a rock formation that resembles a face when seen from a certain angle, and visitors often search for this image during their walk. The church attracts pilgrims who come inland for the seclusion and the quiet atmosphere found here.
Access is limited to 400 people per day, and the grounds open at 8 in the morning and close at 4:30 in the afternoon. The trails run over uneven terrain with steep sections, so sturdy footwear is necessary.
Every evening at 8 PM, maned wolves come to the courtyard where a priest feeds them and visitors can watch the rare animals up close. These wolves are South America's largest wild canids, weighing up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
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