Monte Sião: Porcelain, pilgrimage site and mountain views

Hand-painted blue-and-white porcelain, an archdiocesan shrine and mountain views from Morro Pelado give Monte Sião a varied character. If you are planning a holiday here, you can choose from religious and cultural experiences, a distinctive exhibition, tourist routes and hikes. These different highlights can help you tailor your trip to the interests of your fellow travellers.

Porcelain, pilgrimage and an unusual museum space

On 5 November 1999, in view of the large influx of tourists and pilgrims, the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa was elevated to the status of an archdiocesan shrine by decree of the Archbishop of Pouso Alegre. Next to the Santuário Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa is the Sala das Graças. It houses testimonies, objects and photographs relating to the graces received by devotees of Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa. For visitors interested in faith and religious traditions, these places offer insight into the significance of the devotion.

Another local tradition is represented by Porcelana Monte Sião: blue-and-white porcelain items have been handcrafted and hand-painted there since 1959. Every piece is unique, and the porcelain continues to be made using traditional techniques. Those interested in design and craftsmanship will find a distinctive cultural highlight here. The blue-and-white design and handmade production are as characteristic as the long-standing tradition.

The Museu Histórico e Geográfico de Monte Sião houses the EGMS Gallery, a permanent educational exhibition in a 15-metre-long artificial cave. It features various stalactite and cave formations. This unusual exhibition space is quite different from a conventional display in a hall and offers another way to include culture and nature in your trip.

The traditional Tricofest – Festival de Inverno de Monte Sião is also part of the town’s events calendar. It takes place in July and features performances for all ages. This may appeal to travellers of different generations, especially if they want to take a cultural programme into account when choosing when to visit.

Urban and rural routes

The tourist routes each focus on different attractions. Route 7 covers Monte Sião’s urban tourist attractions, as well as nearby attractions that can be reached without travelling far from the town. Route 8 brings together tourist attractions along the MG459, the main highway serving Monte Sião, and nearby attractions that are easy to reach without travelling far from this main road. This makes it easier to decide whether you are more interested in urban attractions or sights along the highway.

ROTAS DOS VENTOS focuses on the municipality’s rural area and promotes tourism development there. It complements the urban-focused Route 7 and the MG459-oriented Route 8 with a thematic focus for travellers interested in rural tourism. These different interests may also influence your choice of holiday rental; first consider whether you want your trip to centre on culture and the town, the routes, or the rural area.

For orientation in the town centre, there is the Receptivo Turístico, a bus covered in knitting. It is intended to inform tourists about the city’s main attractions. Also in the centre is Praça Prefeito Mário Zucato, which is decorated with cypress sculptures. If you are looking for a distinctive urban landmark, you can consider including the square among the places you visit.

Mountain views and trails with a local guide

Morro Pelado reaches an altitude of 1,319 metres and offers views of the foothills of the Serra da Mantiqueira. Hiking trails lead to both this mountain and Morro do Cruzeiro. It is important to be accompanied by a local guide on these trails, so plan accordingly if hiking is one of the experiences you want from your trip.

Morro Pelado also has a platform from which enthusiasts of free flight take off at sunset. The mountain therefore combines a viewpoint with a distinctive experience for fans of this activity. When choosing your accommodation, you can weigh up whether mountain and nature experiences or the cultural attractions and urban routes should play a bigger part in your trip.

Discover more destinations

You can also discover these places: Marliéria, Mercês De Água Limpa, Ribeirão Das Neves, Pouso Alegre, Abre Campo, Montes Claros, Ipatinga and Itaobim.

Back to the main travel overview: Minas Gerais.