Why Itaúna
Itaúna is a Brazilian municipality situated in the state of Minas Gerais, located within the Iron Quadrangle (Quadrilátero Ferrífero) and the region's Metropolitan Belt. Situated roughly 80 kilometers from the state capital of Belo Horizonte in the Central-West area of Minas, it shares borders with several neighboring municipalities: Itatiaiuçu to the south, Mateus Leme to the east, Carmo do Cajuru to the west, Pará de Minas to the north, and Igaratinga to the northwest. The municipality holds an estimated population of over 102,000 residents.
The historical background of the area dates back to the colonial period, when Portuguese-descended explorers, known as bandeirantes, began entering the interior from São Paulo in the 17th century. Early expeditions included those led by Lourenço Castanho Taques, who encountered the native Cataguases indigenous people and established a riverbank camp in 1675, as well as Manoel de Borba Gato in the early 18th century. Large land grants shaped ownership of the territory over the decades. The physical foundation of the community took shape in October 1765, when Manoel Pinto de Madureira donated land for the construction of the Chapel of Sant’Ana, creating the core of a settlement originally named Santana do São João Acima.
While early attempts to uncover gold along local streams yielded little result, the local economy thrived on livestock farming and general agriculture. After a decline in regional gold mining, agricultural pursuits expanded beyond simple subsistence, driving steady population growth throughout the 19th century. The settlement saw key milestones, including the creation of its primary school in 1850 and a post office in 1877. Towards the final decade of the 19th century, industrial growth began directing the municipality's urban development.
Visitors to Itaúna can observe historic religious landmarks that trace back to the town's development. A key focal point in the central part of the city is the main church, Matriz de Santana. Originally constructed in the 1840s by enslaved workers and later expanded with support from local landowners, its interior features artwork completed in 1875 by painter Pedro Campos of Sabará and assistant Antônio José dos Santos. Situated atop a nearby hill is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary. The two places of worship famously swapped names in 1853, placing the Rosário chapel on the high hill where the town's very first chapel was established, a site that subsequently underwent renovations in 1929.
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