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Weather in Royal Routel
The Royal Route
Joaquim josé da silva xavier was born in 1746 on Fazenda do Pombal (Pigeonhouse Farm), at that time a stretch of land vied over by the villages of São João del Rei and São José do Rio das Mortes. He had no regular schooling. He was educated by two brothers who were priests and remained under the custody of a godfather, who was a surgeon. He worked as a peddler, a miner and an engineer. He also dedicated to pharmaceutical practices and to the profession as a dentist, what gave him the non-complimentary nickname Tiradentes (Tooth-puller). At 34, he enlisted in the captain's troop of Minas Gerais. One year later, he was appointed patrolling commander of the Caminho Novo (New Road), one of the roads used to bring gold to Rio de Janeiro. This is when he came into contact with groups that were dissatisfied with the Portuguese exploration of Brazil. After resigning from the cavalry, where he only reached the post as second lieutenant, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he envisioned the canalization of Andaraí and Maracanã rivers. The execution of his projects was, nevertheless, dismissed, furthering his independence ideals to the colony. Having read the United States' Declaration of Independence (proclaimed in 1776), he organized a movement against the Portuguese Crown which is known as Inconfidência (Disloyalty). In 1789, the same year as the French Revolution, he was arrested in Rio. On April 21st, 1792, a Saturday, he was hanged, and his body was dismembered in public.
Highlights:
- Visits to museums and churches led by a history professor
- The fusion of contemporary and Minas Gerais traditional cuisines, found
at restaurants Traga Luz and Theatro da Villa
- The charm of Pousada Solar da Ponte
- The wood and cast-iron crafts of Bichinho village, where Oficina de Agosto
stands out
- Minas Gerais hospitality, along with chats, coffees, pães de queijo (cheese
breads)...