It is situated 90 kilometres (56 mi) south from Belo Horizonte, the capital of state of Minas Gerais, by the highway BR-040.

Other historical cities in Minas Gerais are Ouro Preto, São João del-Rei, Diamantina, Mariana, Tiradentes and Sabará.

The city is known for its basilica - the Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, commissioned by Portuguese adventurer and miner Feliciano Mendes in 1757 and completed in 1775.

Around the forecourt are six chapels with painted wooden scenes depicting the Stations of the Cross.

In 1985 the Sanctuary was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its exemplary Baroque architecture and art.