Peter and Jackie Main
From its founding in 1711, becoming the capital of Minas Gerais state in 1721 and the height of the gold and diamond boom, Ouro Preto had a population of over 100,000.
Today it is a university town, with a population under 70,000.
From Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, fly to Belo Horizonte and then take a bus or rent a car for the almsot three hour drive to Ouro Prêto. The roads are good and lead through rain forests and mountains.
There are many places to stay and eat in the city, from hostels to more expensive hotels. Buffet lunches are a good choice to enjoy the regional fare.
There are an increasing number of people arriving on day tours from Belo Horizonte, but if you can, plan to stay at least a day or two to absorb all the nuances of this historical city.