Pirenópolis is a historic city in the state of Goiás, Brazil. It is well-known for its waterfalls and colonial architecture, and a popular festival involving mounted horses called Festa do Divino Espírito Santo which takes place 45 days after Easter.

Tourist Offices
The tourist office on Rua do Bonfim is open from 8am - 5pm.

Around and closeby
If you travel 11 km north-east of town, on the road to Serra dos Pireneus, you will come across the Reserva Ecológica Vargem Grande. This park, on private land, contains two magnificent waterfalls, natural pools you can take a dip in and small river beaches where you can dry off in the sun afterwards.

Sightseeing
Major attractions include Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Meia Ponte, the oldest church in Goiás and the church Igreja Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. It also has a hippie-like colony which markets clothing and silver work. Today Pirenópolis is known all over Brazil for its popular festivities, especially the "Cavalhadas", introduced n 1826, in which horsemen representing Moors and Christians recreate a battle fought by Charlemagne. This tradition, part of the Festival for the Holy Spirit (Festa do Espírito Santo), was brought to the town by Portuguese settlers. The Festas de Cavalhadas feature a parade beginning with a bugle fanfare announcing the knight's pages, then the mounted knights displaying their colours. Wearing fantastic paper-maché helmets, the Christian knights wear blue, the Moors wear red. The battle lasts for three days and attracts thousands of visitors to the town. The Cavalhadas take place in medieval costume, with the highlight being the mock battle, performed in the city's bullring. The Moors, of course, are defeated and convert to Christianity. For information on the cavalhadas (in Portuguese) see Cavalhadas.

Getting there
Pirenópolis is 107km from Goiânia and 150km from Brasilia. Buses connect the city to those capitals and other neighbouring cities.

Getting around
Mototaxi is the easiest way to get around town, that or by foot.