São Thomé das Letras

Brazil

Igreja Matriz in São Thomé das Letras São Thomé das Letras is in Southern Minas Gerais.

The name of the town is based in a legend of a runaway slave who found a statue of Saint Thomas inside a grotto, together with a letter written perfectly in superb calligraphy (impossible for an illiterate, untrained slave), after fleeing the plantation farm belonging to the powerful Baron of Alfenas (a rich landlord), where he was kept captive. When the slave was found by slave catchers, this revelation resulted in his alforria (emancipation) from his owner, who was greatly amazed by the facts and story the slave brought to him. The baron afterwards commanded the construction of a church beside the grotto; today, this church is the center of São Thomé das Letras.

  • Casa da Pirâmide. Beautiful views at an abandoned house built close to the city's highest ground.
  • Igreja Matriz, Praça Barão de Alfenas (city center. Built in 1785, with rococo features. Noteworthy is the painting of the nave, which portrays Christ surrounded by the apostles, and St. Thomas kneeling at his feet. The work is signed by the artist Joaquim José da Natividade. Beside the church is the grotto of St. Thomas, where happened the miraculous find that gave birth to the city, according to legend.
  • Igreja da Pedra. This church does not have many records or artworks. It is estimated that the construction was started by slaves in the 18th century, and was completed only in 1995. The impressive structure is made ​​with stones superimposed one by one.
  • Cruzeiro. Religious landmark located in Parque Antonio Rosa, with a 360 degree view of the entire landscape that surrounds the city. Ideal to observe natural phenomena. Locals say it's the best place for spotting UFO phenomena, from appearances of extraterrestrial spacecraft to energetic collisions; also suitable for astronomical observations of the planets and constellations.
  • Rock formations. The "Witch" (a Bruxa) is the most famous.

  • Gruta do Carimbado. Very deep cave that has never been entirely mapped. Some believe that this cave is actually an underground path to Machu Picchu.
  • Gruta São Thomé.

Gruta do Carimbado. Very deep cave that has never been entirely mapped. Some believe that this cave is actually an underground path to [[Machu Picchu]].

Gruta São Thomé.

Véu de Noiva.

Eubiose.

Lua.

Paraíso.

Xangri-lá.

Casa da Pirâmide. Beautiful views at an abandoned house built close to the city's highest ground.

Igreja Matriz, Praça Barão de Alfenas (city center. Built in 1785, with rococo features. Noteworthy is the painting of the nave, which portrays Christ surrounded by the apostles, and St. Thomas kneeling at his feet. The work is signed by the artist Joaquim José da Natividade. Beside the church is the grotto of St. Thomas, where happened the miraculous find that gave birth to the city, according to legend.

Igreja da Pedra. This church does not have many records or artworks. It is estimated that the construction was started by slaves in the 18th century, and was completed only in 1995. The impressive structure is made ​​with stones superimposed one by one.

Cruzeiro. Religious landmark located in Parque Antonio Rosa, with a 360 degree view of the entire landscape that surrounds the city. Ideal to observe natural phenomena. Locals say it's the best place for spotting UFO phenomena, from appearances of extraterrestrial spacecraft to energetic collisions; also suitable for astronomical observations of the planets and constellations.

Rock formations. The "Witch" (a Bruxa) is the most famous.

O Alquimista, R. Capitão Pedro José Martins, 7, +55 35 3237-1279. Typical Minas cuisine.

Massaroca, Praça Barão de Alfenas, 31, +55 35 3237-1279. Eclectic cuisine.

Pizzaria Ser Criativo, Praça Getúlio Vargas, 18, +55 35 3237-1266. Pizzas baked on stones in a wood-burning oven.