Itaúna offers cultural and scenic themes for planning a trip with a range of interests: Reinado is central to the local festival tradition, while chapels, a town square and natural sites provide more points of interest to explore. The places and stories below show what you can focus on during your time in Itaúna.

Reinado and architectural history

The Festa do Reinado de Nossa Senhora do Rosário takes place every year in Itaúna and has a history spanning more than 200 years. Congado, processions and prayers are among the elements of the festival. Reinado takes place around the Conjunto Arquitetônico do Morro do Rosário and is considered the city’s oldest festival tradition.

The celebration at Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário brings together residents, families, communities, members of Reinado groups and visitors from cities across the region.

Capela do Rosário is also part of the area’s history. It was originally called Capela de Sant’Ana and was built between 1750 and 1765 by the municipality’s first settlers, particularly Manoel Pinto Madureira. In 1853, Capela do Rosário was exchanged for the small Rosário chapel as part of a swap agreement initiated by missionary preachers. Black people had already built the small chapel in their free time in 1840, in the lower part of the city.

The history of Reinado also includes a turning point: it was banned by order of Dom Cabral in 1931. The Congadeiros continued the tradition and built the Sede – Capela da Irmandade Sete Guardas Nossa Senhora do Rosário. It is considered a symbol of resistance and faith. The historic chapels and the continued festival tradition thus represent different chapters in Itaúna’s architectural and cultural history.

Natural sites and getting your bearings in Itaúna

Estância Mineral Água Viva is located near Barragem do Benfica. It has hiking trails, wooded areas, the Olhos d’Água spring and a natural pool of mineral water. The dam holds 40 million cubic meters of water. If you plan to visit the Estância, check access in advance.

Capela do Senhor do Bonfim is located on Morro do Bonfim, about 2.5 kilometers from the city center. From there, you can see the whole city. The access road runs along MG-050 between Itaúna’s main exit and the turnoff for Pará de Minas.

Another landmark is Gruta Nossa Senhora de Itaúna in the Lourdes neighborhood. It is on Rua Sesóstres Milagres, about 1.5 kilometers from the city center. This approximate distance and the street name can help you locate it on your trip map.

Praça Dr. Augusto Gonçalves is an important gathering place in Itaúna. Lush trees provide shade, and the street furniture supports its use as a social meeting place. The square thus complements the historical and scenic themes with a public space for everyday city life.

Discover more destinations: Passa Tempo, Matias Barbosa, Saudade, São Joaquim de Bicas, Fazendinha, Lima Duarte, Caetanópolis, João Monlevade.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.