Road of the Slaves, Colonial transportation route in Diamantina, Brazil.

The Road of the Slaves is a colonial transport route in Diamantina featuring stone-paved sections that wind through mountainous terrain. The preserved sections still connect historical districts and demonstrate how the path was engineered centuries ago.

The route was created to transport diamonds and gold from mining regions to coastal points for export. This trade activity became fundamental to the colonial economy and shaped the region for generations.

The name Caminho dos Escravos recalls the enslaved Africans who built and carried loads along this route during the colonial diamond and gold trade. Local devotion to Nossa Senhora do Rosário, honoured by the Congado brotherhoods of Diamantina, is tied to that enslaved population. Look for the hand-laid stone paving and the roadside crosses that mark the old stopping points.

The route climbs through hilly terrain, so wear sturdy shoes and allow for uneven footing. Sections are easiest to walk or cycle in the drier months, when the stone paving is less slippery. The old road runs between the historic centre of Diamantina and the old mining districts, so plan your entry and exit points before setting out.

The path retains original stone patterns laid by hand that reveal craftsmanship from centuries ago. These details often go unnoticed by visitors but tell much about the labor methods and materials used during that era.