The little hamlet of Serro is just a two hour bus ride away from Diamantina in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Serro is not so much a place to do as it is a place to see and experience. Words like ‘unwind', ‘rest' and ‘relax' spring to mind as soon as you set your eyes on the rich landscape of Serro. However, don't forget to take a tour in Serro to scale the Pico do Itambé, (Itambé Peak) while you're here - it connects parts of Serro, Santo Antônio do Itambé and Serra Azul de Minas and has spectacular views.
It is easy to find a place to stay in Serro, as there are a number of authentic and good quality hotels in Serro. The locals are welcoming and hospitable and many of the Serro hotels have awesome views of the surrounding countryside, and suit all tastes and budgets, including those on a shoestring. You can also use our Serro map to choose your hotel in Serro based on its location in town. The Rodoviária (municipal bus station) is almost in the centre - turn a deaf ear to the overeager taxi drivers, walk uphill for maybe thirty metres, and you'll be in the heart of the village.
Serro was founded as a mining town in the seventeenth century, and although Serro is associated with its large resources of gold and riches from this time, a walk or a Serro tour down Serro's streets will reveal another invaluable treasure that the village has to offer - its distinct and beautiful Rococo style of architecture, evident from its six colonial churches. The best example is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo - its pulpits and ceilings are an artiste's salute to the Rococo style. However, the local people value their privacy greatly, and the churches open for visitors only on weekends.
Noted artist of the eighteenth century, Silvestro de Almeida Lopes, is credited with the quality paintings in the churches. To admire the beauty of these paintings, the architectural style and the impressive ornamentations on the facades and interiors, make sure you take yourself on a historical tour of Serro visiting Capela de Santa Rita, the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and the churches of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Nossa Senhora do Rosário.
Serro was listed as a historic landmark by IPHAN (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional) in 1938 and taking a tour in Serro is a wonderfully rich experience. For those interested in getting a feel of Serro back in colonial times, be sure to look up the Chácara do Barão do Serro which now houses the village's Centre of Culture. Easily recognisable and built in the ‘Casa Grande' style, the house is open for tours in Serro of the building and the slaves' quarters. Vila do Principe do Serro Frio also retains some of its mining town characteristics from the eighteenth century of Brazil.
Another interesting place to visit is the Museu Regional which has a rather impressive collection of period paintings and drawings, kitchen furniture and equipment from the olden days, and such like. Standing on the stoop of the museum, you can get a good look at Casa do Barão de Diamantina, now a well-restored school by the hillside, the twin Chinese towers of Igreja da Matriz on one side and the Santa Rita hill on the other side.
Serro is also famous as a gastronomic destination, the main product being ‘Queijo do Serro' (Serro's Cheese). This has been registered as immaterial patrimony by the State of Minas Gerais. Serro's Cheese has its pride of place not only as a world renowned food product, but also as the theme of an annual culinary festival - aptly named The Cheese Festival, which takes place every August. There are milk and dairy contests, shows, stalls and even a rodeo to be seen (locally known as vaquejada). Among traditional festivals, the most famous is the Festival do Rosário, celebrated in the month of July every year with stalls, exhibitions, celebrations etc., all laced with a religious theme.
Some other great destinations close by and good to visit during your holiday include Belo Horizonte and Diamantina.
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