Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina, Colonial settlement in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The historic center of Diamantina spreads across hillsides with narrow, winding streets lined by colonial buildings made of wood and adobe that shape the entire urban fabric. The structures sit closely together and follow the irregular slope of the land.

Portuguese explorers founded this settlement in the 1700s following the discovery of diamond deposits, which sparked extensive mining operations under Portuguese Crown control. The wealth generated by diamond trade shaped the town's growth and construction.

The churches of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and São Francisco de Assis display richly decorated interiors with paintings and ornaments that reveal the religious practices and artistic vision of colonial times. These spaces show how faith shaped the community's daily life and priorities.

The center lies about four hours from Belo Horizonte and offers accommodation in restored colonial buildings. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the narrow, steep streets demand regular walking.

The historic centre was listed by IPHAN in 1938, one of Brazil's first federal heritage designations, and UNESCO added it in 1999. The protected area covers 28.5 hectares, with a buffer zone matching the federal listing. The town sits at about 1,200 metres in the Serra do Espinhaço, on terrain dropping roughly 150 metres.