Fodor's Expert Review Igatú

A steep 6-km (4-mile) cobblestone road connects the BA 142 highway with the village of Igatú, a former boomtown of the 19th century where the faded ruins of abandoned mansions surround contemporary pastel cottages. The open-air museum Galeria Arte e Memoria celebrates the life and customs of the garimperos, combining former stone houses with a sculpture garden and café, while at the Mina Brejo-Veruga, you can venture into what was once the area's largest diamond mine. For those looking for an alternative to hiking, this provides an interesting half-day experience into the history of the region and can be done alone or as part of a tour.