São José da Barra can be explored from two distinct perspectives: the new city was planned in the shape of a banjo, while the municipality’s lakeshore, rocky landscape, cycling route, and religious festival traditions offer further reasons to visit. If you’re planning a stay, you can first decide whether to focus on city history, nature, or a specific event date.
A City Plan with a Story
The new city of São José da Barra was planned and built in the shape of a banjo at the request of the local parish priest, Padre Ubirajara Cabral. The banjo motif directly connects the city’s origins with its layout: the shape itself is part of the town’s story. If you also pay attention to urban planning when you travel, it offers a distinctive starting point for exploring São José da Barra.
Rivers, Village History, and Furnas
The history of the former village of São José da Barra, also known as Pontal da Barra, offers another glimpse into the municipality’s past. The settlement was located at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Sapucaí rivers, 94 kilometers from Passos, and belonged to the municipality of Alpinópolis. In the 1950s, residents made their living from fishing and agriculture. Its riverside location, former municipal affiliation, and livelihoods at the time provide a concrete context for the village’s history.
Another historical episode concerns Cidade Submersa – Barra Velha. The town was completely flooded when the Rio Grande and Sapucaí rivers were dammed to build the Furnas Hydroelectric Power Plant (Usina Hidrelétrica de Furnas). The history of this place links the rivers with the construction of the power plant and the transformation of the landscape.
Water, Rock, and Views in the Municipality
The natural attractions in the municipality of São José da Barra offer different perspectives on water and landscape. Praia Municipal Ponta da Serra is located on the shore of Lago de Furnas in the municipality of São José da Barra and provides access to the lake. In Vale dos Tucanos, large rock walls surround the valley; a narrow stretch of the Furnas reservoir leads to an impressive view of the valley. From Mirante 360º in the municipality of São José da Barra, you can take in the Mar de Minas as well as the local fauna and flora.
These three places in the municipality of São José da Barra each offer a different focus: Praia Municipal Ponta da Serra centers on the lakeshore and access to Lago de Furnas, while Vale dos Tucanos features rock walls and views of the valley. Mirante 360º combines views of the Mar de Minas with opportunities to observe local wildlife and plant life. You can choose which natural attractions in the municipality of São José da Barra to visit based on what interests you most: access to the water, a valley surrounded by rock walls, or views of the landscape, fauna, and flora.
Cycling Route and Events Calendar
Cycling enthusiasts can visit the public XCO Furnas EcoBike facility in the municipality of São José da Barra, which has a cycling route designed for the XCO discipline. The XCO circuits at this facility are between 6 and 20 kilometers long. If cycling is your main focus, this range gives you a concrete point of reference for planning.
Festival traditions are also part of community life. The São João festival is part of the municipality’s traditional and religious events calendar. In Bom Jesus dos Campos, in the municipality of São José da Barra, the traditional Santos Reis festival, featuring a folk gathering, is held annually on January 6 at the Capela de Santos Reis e São Sebastião. If you’re planning a stay around this date, it’s worth checking the event schedule before you travel.
The crunchy São José cookie is also highlighted as a tourist attraction in the municipality.
Discover more destinations: Diamantina, Ilicínea, Divinópolis, Guaxupé, Paraisópolis, Nova Serrana, Passa Tempo, Matias Barbosa
For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.
