The history of the Maria-Fumaça, one of Brazil's first rail lines, is on display at the Museu Ferroviário inside São João's train station. The museum's highlight is its collection of vintage locomotives and train cars, including the luxuriously appointed 19th-century car once used by Brazil's emperor Dom Pedro II. Other exhibits (in Portuguese) trace the railway's development.
Museu Ferroviário
Minas Gerais
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.13 MILES
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0.31 MILES
Begun in 1721, São João's cathedral has exuberant gold altars and fine Portuguese tiles. Two of the city's famous orchestras can be heard here at the 7pm…
0.21 MILES
This 18th-century church, dominating a lovely triangular praça (plaza), was designed by Aleijadinho, who also did the frontispiece and the sculpture…
Nearby Minas Gerais attractions
0.21 MILES
This 18th-century church, dominating a lovely triangular praça (plaza), was designed by Aleijadinho, who also did the frontispiece and the sculpture…
2. Museu Regional São João del Rei
0.31 MILES
One of the best regional museums in Minas Gerais, this 19th-century colonial mansion houses three floors of antique furniture, sacred art and assorted…
0.31 MILES
Begun in 1721, São João's cathedral has exuberant gold altars and fine Portuguese tiles. Two of the city's famous orchestras can be heard here at the 7pm…
0.36 MILES
In a building that served as the public jail between 1737 and 1850, this museum has a small but impressive collection of art from the city’s churches.
0.41 MILES
This simple church was built in 1719 to honor the patron saint who was protector of the slaves.
6. Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
0.41 MILES
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5.34 MILES
Named for Tiradentes' patron saint, this gorgeous church is one of Aleijadinho's last designs. The dazzling gold interior is rich in Old Testament…
5.4 MILES
Spanning three centuries, this museum's collection includes vestments, ex votos and hundreds of other historical liturgical objects from Tiradentes'…