Tourism

The ancient stone city of Pireneus: Brazil’s best-kept secret

The city of Pirenópolis attracts tourists from all over for its lavish vegetation. But its most stunning attraction is remains unknown

Stone City Pireneus lost hidden history Brazil
Brazil’s hidden “Stone City,” in Pirenópolis. Photo: Ed Alves for TBR

Pirenópolis is a charming tourist city almost slap-bang in the middle of Brazil. Visitors from around the country are drawn to its colonial architecture, stone-paved streets, and the natural beauty of its surroundings. Waterfalls and native forests are the main draws, but Pirenópolis has other natural attractions that the majority of Brazilians have never even heard of.

The more adventurous tourists are often found visiting a private property in Pirenópolis, admiring ancient rock formations. The so-called Lost City of Pirineus, or just Cidade de Pedra (City of Stone), is the largest site of its type in Brazil.

Spanning over 500 hectares — roughly the size of 850 football fields — Cidade de Pedra is twice the size of the Sete Cidades National Park in the northeastern state of Piauí, Brazil’s most famous site of ancient sandstone formations. According to researchers, the rocks in Cidade de Pedra are 880 million years old.

Indeed, visiting Cidade de Pedra is not for the faint of heart. There are no streams or water sources around the maze-like...

Don't miss this opportunity!

Interested in staying updated on Brazil and Latin America? Subscribe to start receiving our reports now!