Cross the bridge and go uphill into Rua da Câmara, also known as Ladeira (steep street) da Matriz. It features a mix of homes and quaint stores such as Nobre Decadência, pictured in the foreground, is one of the best antique shops in town.
As you walk, consider the size and sheer quantity of the stone slabs used to pave the streets, powerful reminders of all the slave work involved in the building of colonial towns.
In the early evening, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, when tourists from around Tiradentes and beyond come to town for the weekend, Rua da Câmara and the adjacent streets are some of the most pleasant streets in Brazil. There’s an almost palpable feeling of calm fun in the air as travelers leave their hotels and mingle with the locals, out for a walk in the twilight as the old-fashioned street lamps light up. Shops will stay open late; a comforting scent of Minas Gerais dinners comes from the area's restaurants.
