Some towns seem to have stepped out of a story. São Thomé das Letras, high in the Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais, is one of them: houses built of quartzite that glows in the sun, streets that climb and fall, and an air of mystery that has earned the town its reputation as the mystical capital of Brazil.
Why is São Thomé das Letras built of quartzite?
In São Thomé das Letras, high in the Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais, quartzite is everywhere: in the pavements, the walls and the roofs. The stone gives the town a light of its own, silvery, especially in late afternoon. At the top, the main church and the old houses keep the charm of Minas Gerais's small towns, the kind where you stop for a coffee and chat with whoever passes by.
Why is São Thomé das Letras called the mystical capital of Brazil?
São Thomé das Letras is famous for its stories: flying saucers, portals, caves said to hold secrets. Whether you believe them or not, listening to the tales of the people who live there is part of the appeal. The Gruta de São Thomé, where a hermit is said to have lived, and the rock inscription that gives the town its name ("das Letras") are essential stops.
Which waterfalls can you visit in São Thomé das Letras?
The São Thomé das Letras region is full of beautiful waterfalls, such as Eubiose, Véu da Noiva and Flávia, all good for cooling off and taking photographs. The caves complete the outing for those who enjoy nature and a little shiver down the spine.
A sunset nobody forgets
The high point, quite literally, is watching the sunset from the top of the serra. The sky seems to catch fire, the stone glows, and for a moment everyone falls silent. It is the kind of moment that travelling in a group makes even more special: the landscape is beautiful, but it is the company that turns it into a memory.
For the traveller
São Thomé is a town of slopes and stone paving, so it is worth going prepared:
- Sturdy, comfortable footwear: the quartzite paving is lovely, but uneven.
- A jacket: the altitude of the Mantiqueira keeps the nights cool all year round.
- An unhurried pace: the streets climb and fall; taken slowly, the town reveals itself better.
- Respect for places of faith and for the caves: many are places of devotion and contemplation.
What it is like on an expedition
São Thomé has slopes and stone terrain, so a guided trip makes a difference: we organise the pace, choose the calmer viewpoints and waterfalls and take care of everything so that you can simply enjoy it. A different destination, for those who have seen it all and want to be surprised again. Discover our expeditions and come and feel the mystery of São Thomé.
Photos: Amanda de Oliveira Gonçalves, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
