Araxá, Brazil
Region: Minas Gerais
Geographic Coordinates: -19.592800, -46.940800
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 30.0°C (59°F to 86°F)
Climate: Araxá has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Population: 103287
Language: Portuguese
Araxá is a small city located in the southeast region of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. The city is famous for its natural beauty and historical significance, With its name derived from an indigenous word meaning place where the sun rises. One of Araxá’s main attractions is its hot springs, Which are believed to have healing properties due to their high mineral content. The most popular hot spring can be found at the luxurious Grande Hotel Termas de Araxá, Which has been welcoming guests since 1944. Another must-see attraction in Araxá is the Taua Hotel & Convention Center.
This hotel offers visitors a unique experience combining history, Culture and entertainment as it was built on top of an old coffee plantation dating back to 1870s. For those interested in history, There are several museums worth visiting such as Museu Dona Beja which displays artifacts from different periods including pre-Columbian art pieces; Museu Calmon Barreto which focuses on local flora and fauna; and Museu Histórico Municipal which houses documents related to Araxá’s past. Nature lovers will also find plenty to enjoy around Araxá.
One popular destination for hiking enthusiasts is Serra da Bocaina National Park where visitors can explore trails through lush forests leading to waterfalls like Cachoeira do Salto Grande or Cachoeira dos Macacos. Another option for nature lovers is Lago Norte (North Lake), An artificial lake created by damming up one of the area’s rivers that offers opportunities for fishing or boating. foodies won’t be disappointed with the local cuisine.
Minas Gerais is known for its hearty dishes made with beans, Pork and cassava flour while Araxá has its own specialties like tutu de feijão (bean puree), Pão de queijo (cheese bread) and doce de leite (milk caramel). Visitors can sample these delicacies at local restaurants or street markets. Overall, Araxá offers a unique blend of history, Culture, Nature and relaxation that makes it an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the best Brazil has to offer. Whether you’re soaking in hot springs or exploring colonial architecture and museums, This charming city will leave you feeling renewed and inspired.
- Grande Hotel de Araxá – a luxurious hotel built in the 1940s with beautiful architecture and hot springs.
- Thermas de Araxá – a spa resort that offers therapeutic treatments using natural resources like thermal water, mud, and herbs.
- Dona Beja Museum – a historic house museum dedicated to the life of Dona Beja, a legendary figure in Brazilian folklore.
- Barreiro Complex – an ecological park with hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- São Sebastião Church – a beautiful church with intricate details and stained glass windows that date back to the 1930s.
- Municipal Market – a bustling market selling local produce like cheese, fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts made by local artisans.
- Tauá Grande Hotel & Termas de Araxá Convention Center – another luxurious hotel complex that offers world-class amenities for business meetings or leisure travel.
- Pão de Queijo Factory Tour – visitors can learn how to make traditional Brazilian cheese bread at this factory tour while sampling fresh-baked treats straight from the oven!
- Mining: Araxá is renowned for its abundant niobium reserves, a rare metal that is widely used in steel production.
- Agriculture: The region boasts an extensive agriculture industry, with crops such as soybeans and corn being major contributors to the economy.
- Tourism: Araxá is home to numerous popular tourist attractions, including hot springs and natural parks.
- Manufacturing: The city has a burgeoning manufacturing sector that produces textiles, furniture, and food products.
- Services: With a population of over 100,000 people, there is also a thriving service industry in Araxá that includes healthcare services, retail stores, restaurants and hotels.
- The discovery of mineral-rich hot springs in the area in the 1800s, which led to the development of a spa industry.
- The construction of Grande Hotel de Araxá in 1938, which became a popular destination for wealthy Brazilians and international visitors.
- The birthplace of Brazilian writer Dinah Silveira de Queiroz, who wrote several acclaimed novels including A Muralha and Floradas na Serra.
- The site of an important battle during the Brazilian War of Independence in 1822, where local forces defeated Portuguese troops.
- A center for agriculture and livestock production, particularly dairy farming.
- Home to several significant religious sites including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Church of Saint Sebastian.
- Notable figures from Araxá include former Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek (who was born nearby), Olympic gold medalist Maurren Maggi (who grew up in Araxá), and musician Toninho Horta (who was also born nearby).
Araxá Sports Teams
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Araxá Esporte Clube (AEC)
Established on June 13, 1947
AEC has won numerous titles at the state level
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Associação Atlética Araxaense (AAA)
Founded on May 15, 1954
AAA also competes in football tournaments and has achieved notable success at the local level
Other Popular Sports in Araxá
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Handball
- Futsal
There are several clubs and associations dedicated to these sports as well.
- Festa de São Sebastião is a religious festival that honors the patron saint of Araxá. It is held in January.
- ExpoAraxá is an agricultural and industrial fair that takes place every two years in July. The fair showcases local products and technologies.
- Festival de Inverno is a winter festival that features music, dance, theater, and other cultural events. It takes place in July.
- Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro is a rodeo festival with bull riding competitions and live music performances. The event occurs in August.
- Semana da Cultura e Turismo is a week-long celebration of Araxá’s cultural heritage and tourism industry held in September.
- Encontro Nacional de Motociclistas is a national gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts featuring live music shows and exhibitions held in October.
- Natal Iluminado is a Christmas-themed event with light displays, parades, concerts, and other festive activities held from November to December.
- Carnaval de Rua is an annual street carnival with colorful costumes, samba dancing performances, live music shows, and street parties held during the Carnival season (February or March).
- Pão de queijo: a traditional Brazilian cheese bread made with cassava flour and cheese.
- Frango com quiabo: chicken cooked with okra, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
- Tutu de feijão: a dish made with mashed beans mixed with cassava flour and served with rice, sausage, and pork.
- Doce de leite: a caramel-like dessert made from milk.
Some popular restaurants in Araxá are:
- Restaurante e Pizzaria Dona Beja: known for its traditional Brazilian cuisine and pizza.
- Churrascaria Cachoeira Grill: a steakhouse that serves grilled meats and Brazilian sides like farofa (toasted manioc flour) and feijoada (black bean stew).
- Botequim do Zé Pretinho: a casual bar that serves snacks like fried mandioca (cassava) sticks and bolinho de bacalhau (codfish croquettes).
- Empório Mineiro Casa do Queijo: a shop that sells local cheeses, cured meats, jams, and other regional products to take home or enjoy on site at their cafe area.
- Dona Beja Square – A public park with a fountain and statue of Dona Beja, a famous historical figure in Araxá.
- Barreiro Park – A large park with walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields.
- Municipal Aquarium – A popular attraction for families with children showcasing local fish species.
- Tauá Grande Hotel de Araxá – This hotel features an extensive spa complex including thermal pools and massage services.
- Morro do Cristo – A hilltop park offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
- Municipal Theatre of Araxá – A cultural center that presents plays, music concerts, art exhibitions, and other events throughout the year.
- Fazenda São Francisco – A rural farm that offers horseback riding tours, fishing trips on private lakes as well as hiking trails through local forests.
- Lago Norte Park- A scenic lakefront park ideal for picnics or boating activities such as kayaking or paddleboarding.
- Parque das Águas de Araxá- An expansive waterpark featuring water slides, wave pools and other aquatic attractions.
- Praça Governador Valadares- Another central square in the city offering green spaces for relaxation along with cafes and restaurants nearby.
