The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piety is recognized as one of the most notable attractions in Minas Gerais. Located on the summit of Serra da Piedade, approximately 16 kilometers from Caeté, in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, this destination possesses a beauty intrinsically linked to its altitude of 1,746 meters, offering spectacular views.
This site, listed as a Cultural Heritage by IPHAN since 1956, is popularly known as 'The Heart of Minas' for housing the image of the State's Patroness. At the top of the mountain is also the Basilica Ermida of the Patroness of Minas Gerais – Our Lady of Piety, considered the smallest basilica in the world.
Caeté, situated just over 50 kilometers from the mining capital, is part of the Caminho do Sabarabuçu, which is part of the Estrada Real circuit, facilitating the inclusion of the Sanctuary in regional tourist routes.
History of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piety
The area where Caeté is located today began to be settled during the gold cycle, in the late 17th century. Although it was the scene of the War of the Emboabas in 1708, the history of the Sanctuary begins a few decades later, in 1765. At that time, a young deaf and mute woman reported seeing Our Lady on the top of the mountain, and after this apparition, she regained her ability to speak.
As a result of this event, the temple began to house the emblematic image of Our Lady of Piety, which was sculpted in the 18th century by Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, master of Baroque art in the Brazilian colonial period. The construction of the site followed shortly after, in 1767.
In 2017, during the celebration of the Sanctuary's 250th anniversary, the Vatican granted the title of basilica to the two churches present in the complex, a recognition given by the Pope to Catholic temples of great historical and cultural relevance.
Additionally, at the top of the mountain there is a space dedicated to astronomy, the Frei Rosário Astronomical Observatory, which is maintained by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). This location is ideal for capturing photographs against the vast mountainous landscape.
Attractions and Visits to the Sanctuary
One of the highlights of visiting the Sanctuary is undoubtedly the 360-degree panoramic view. The landscape impresses with a sea of mountains and the feeling of being above the clouds, making the location ideal for contemplation and photography. The view covers cities such as Belo Horizonte, Caeté, Contagem, Lagoa Santa, Nova União, and Raposos, as well as the Serra do Caraça.
Watching the sunset on the mountain top is another experience highly sought after by visitors. The natural complex surrounding the Sanctuary is located in a unique transition point, where three Brazilian biomes meet: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Rupestrian Fields.
The Sanctuary is open for visits from Wednesday to Friday; visitors without an appointment can access after 4:30 PM, while those with appointments can enter starting at 5:30 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the opening time is from 5:30 PM for everyone. Appointments must be made through the official website, requiring a fee of R$ 17 for adults, and R$ 8.50 for children and people over 60 years old.