Coronel Fabriciano can be considered from two different perspectives when planning a trip: cultural places of remembrance and the Serra dos Cocais, with its waterfalls and viewpoints. The Co-Catedral de São Sebastião de Fabriciano and the Capela Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora represent different historical connections, while the Serra offers a focus on nature. This lets you decide in advance whether you are mainly interested in the city’s history, a protected landscape, or both.

Cultural places of remembrance

The Co-Catedral de São Sebastião de Fabriciano is recognized as a place of remembrance because of its cultural significance. It houses a miniature replica of the Calado railway station, named after the city’s first name, as well as the Memorial Dom Lélis Lara. The miniature provides a tangible link to the city’s history: Calado was Coronel Fabriciano’s first name, and the station bears that name. The memorial is another part of this place of remembrance. The Co-Catedral also has a historic role as an event venue. Over the course of its history, it has hosted significant cultural events, including concerts and plays. Its history thus encompasses its role as a place of remembrance, its connection to the name Calado, and past cultural events.

The chapel’s history

The Capela Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora has a different architectural and legal history. It was inaugurated in 1942 as part of the architectural complex of the former Hospital Siderúrgica, now called Hospital Dr. José Maria Morais. The chapel is protected as municipal cultural heritage under Decree 1.033/1997. The dates have different roles: 1942 marks the inauguration, while 1997 refers to the decree establishing its protected status.

During the restoration, the altar, roof, floor, ceiling, electrical installations, benches, and paintwork were repaired. The work thus covered various parts of the building and its furnishings, adding specific architectural details to the story of its inauguration and protected status.

Nature in the Serra dos Cocais

The Serra dos Cocais in Coronel Fabriciano offers a distinct focus on nature. It has been designated an environmental protection area since 2002 and features several waterfalls and viewpoints. Its character is defined by two tangible aspects: its enduring protected status and its natural features. The Serra offers a different perspective from the two buildings: the focus is on the landscape and environmental protection status rather than architectural and event history.

Choose your travel focus

The differences between the three places are useful when choosing your focus. The Co-Catedral brings together remembrance of Calado, the memorial, and past cultural events; the chapel is associated with its inauguration, heritage protection, and restoration; the Serra is defined by its protected status, waterfalls, and viewpoints. Those focusing on cultural history can distinguish between the two buildings by their respective histories. Those mainly interested in natural features will find a clear point of reference in the Serra. This way, Coronel Fabriciano is not reduced to a single reason to visit.

Discover more destinations: Itamonte, São João Del Rei, Sarzedo, Pitangui, Fazendinha, Montalvânia, Caparaó, Bocaina De Minas.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.