Rock and Stone

There seems to be a mixed relationship between Brazilians and rocks. Around Rio, which is incredibly hilly, there is evidence of many rock falls and as a consequence, there are enormous concrete barricades, rock bolts and mesh catching devices. There have apparently been quite bad rock falls in the past. The scary thing is that there are many huge, precipitously placed boulders above quite large residential areas.

On the other hand, dressed stone is used EVERYWHERE for building and decoration. We've encountered some magnificent stone in many of the Pousadas in which we've stayed. The one at Brumadhino had a magnificent granite laden with garnets. As I type this in Rio International airport, the tiles on the floor are dressed stone. Door jambs that in Oz would be made of wood are stone.

Around Tiradentes, the paving included massive pieces of ripple marked rock. Even the facade of a church was composed of ripple marked rocks!

Particularly in Ouro Preto, there are stone masons and carpenters producing what looks like really skilled work.

Streets in Ouro Preto and Tiradentes were paved in cobblestones. Very pretty and evocative, but a bugger to drive on. Our driver, Pedro, took it very carfeully, but it was awfully bumpy.

Church Facade
 

Stone Wall in Tiradentes - note cobbled sreet in foreground

 

It all contibutes to the unique look and feel of the old towns.