About the city

Capital of Precious Stones and the main economic center of the Northeast of Minas Gerais, Teófilo Otoni keeps treasures that delight residents and visitors

The main economic center of the northeast of Minas Gerais, Teófilo Otoni is also consecrated as the most important center for cutting and commercializing precious and semi-precious stones in the country, since it is the destination of countless gems extracted from an immense region of the national territory, known as the “Brazilian Oriental Pegmatitic Province.” Minerals can be found in abundance in stores of the genre and in the informal stone trade, both located in the central area of the city. The “World Capital of Precious Stones” also holds other riches, starting with its history, originated in the saga of its founder, the statesman Teóphilo Benedicto Ottoni, who in the mid-19th century was looking for a way to connect Minas to the sea. He found not only what he was looking for, but also a beautiful and fertile plain where he later built his dreamed Philadelphia, the city's first name in honor of the eponymous and prosperous city of North America. are the sloths, which live in the trees of Praça Tiradentes, downtown, and are occasionally seen to the delight of their admirers. In terms of gastronomy, the highlight is the sun-dried meat with manioc, a dish served in several local restaurants and at the Feira Coberta in Bairro Bela Vista. Among other items of Teófilo Otoni's typical cuisine are flour, cheese, curd cheese and cachaças, easily found at the Municipal Market, which also sells handicrafts from the region.

Among the natural attractions, the highlight is the “Pedra D´água” waterfall, in the District of Mucuri, and the Cachoeira da Alemoa, a freshwater beach formed by the Mucuri River, which is located on a private property known as “Antônio Berilo”, close to to the Topaz District. The Rural Community of Lajinha, 12 km from the city center, is considered a reference in the production and sale of flowers and ornamental plants in the region. The community also has a place that sells mineral handicrafts and semi-precious stones. Tours organized in gemstone mines have regular departures from Teófilo Otoni. Reservations and information about the tour at the Precious Stones Tourist Circuit Association: (33) 3523 1870. The city hall website: www.teofilootoni.mg.gov.br/site/turista also has other tourist information about the municipality.