Ouro Preto: History, Former Names & Timeline
Town of the Brazilian gold rush and capital of Minas Gerais, known for its baroque churches and for Tiradentes, forerunner of independence.
Ouro PretoExplore Ouro Preto in the interactive map
Former names of Ouro Preto
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1711 | Vila Rica | |
| 1823 | Ouro Preto | ‘black gold’ |
Timeline of Ouro Preto
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1698 | Gold is found in the hills (about this date) |
| 1711 | The town of Vila Rica is founded |
| 1789 | The Minas conspiracy is discovered |
| 1792 | Tiradentes is executed in Rio |
| 1897 | The state capital moves to Belo Horizonte |
Who ruled Ouro Preto
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–799 | Savanna hunter-gatherers |
| 800–999 | Tupis |
| 1000–1491 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 1492–1499 | Puri |
| 1500–1782 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 1783–1879 | Viceroyalty of Brazil |
| 1880–1913 | Kingdom of Brazil |
| 1914–today | Brazil |
Famous people of Ouro Preto
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1746 – 1792 | Tiradentes | Forerunner of Brazilian independence |
Nearby cities
- Rio de Janeiro · about 283 km
Questions about Ouro Preto
What was Ouro Preto called in the past?
Ouro Preto has been known as Vila Rica (from 1711). Its present name dates from 1823.
Which states have ruled Ouro Preto?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Ouro Preto lies within 6 different states: Savanna hunter-gatherers, Tupis, Puri, Viceroyalty of Brazil, Kingdom of Brazil, Brazil.
What are the key dates in the history of Ouro Preto?
1698: Gold is found in the hills (about this date). 1711: The town of Vila Rica is founded. 1789: The Minas conspiracy is discovered. 1792: Tiradentes is executed in Rio. 1897: The state capital moves to Belo Horizonte.
Which famous people are connected with Ouro Preto?
Tiradentes (forerunner of brazilian independence, 1746 – 1792).