Belo Horizonte and the 2014 World Cup

Aerial view of Belo Horizonte

Third most important industrial pole in the country, Belo Horizonte is recognized for its important personalities such as writers, musicians and politicians. In its surrounding areas, you find the cities of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas do Campo and Tiradentes, which hold stories from the cycle of gold and the baroque influence in Brazilian art. The city is also famous for its innumerous bars where you can try a delicious local cachaça, the typical Brazilian drink, and appreciate the tasty Minas Gerais food.

 Liberty square 

Via Cristina, one of the famous bars, where the visitlor can taste several blends of  Brazilian cachaça

Ouro Preto hills 

The soccer rivalry in the city is polarized between Cruzeiro, symbolized by a fox, and Athletico, also known as "Galo". The América Futebol Clube, a traditional sports owner in the state of Minas Gerais, is the third force.

The Minas Gerais fan is very passionate. The city is already breathing to preparation for 2014, and has a countdown clock to the beginning of the world cup in Liberty Square, an important cultural pole of the city.

Mineirão stadium

The temple for the fervor of local fans is Governor Magalhães Pinto stadium, called the Mineirão. A stage for big games since 1965, and with a capacity to house 62,160 fans, it is scheduled to host a semi-final of 2014 World Cup on July 8^th. Other relevant matches in the group stage will take place in this arena.

June 14^th  – Saturday - 01:00pm - Colombia x Greece (group C)

June 17^th  – Tuesday -  01:00pm  -  Belgium x Algeria (group H)

June 21^st  – Saturday - 01:00pm - Argentina x Iran (group F)

June 24^th -  Tuesday - 01:00pm  - Costa Rica x England  (group D)

June 28^{th –} Saturday -  01:00pm -  1^st group A x 2^nd group B (round of 16)

July   8^th  – Tuesday - 05:00pm - winner quarterfinal group 1  x winner quarterfinal 

group 2  – semifinals 1

Two members of World Champions´ club have a place in this city. Argentina brings its tradition and unquestionable Messi and England lands in Brazil with the hope to perform in a high level to become, again, a protagonist.

The speedy, strategist and unbelievable Argentinian star Messi in action

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Christmas decoration in the twelve cities that will host the World Cup

Although Brazil is a tropical country where palm trees are a constant, the traditional Christmas trees can be seen all over. Majority of cities - no matter if they are in the coast or in the countryside - prepare the Christmas decoration as part of the season celebration.

Have a look at the Christmas decoration at the twelve cities that will receive the matches for the 2014 World Cup.

Belo Horizonte - lighting at Liberty Square

photo by Wellington Pedro, Imprensa MG 

Brasilia - lighting at  Ministries Esplanade

photo by Daniel Ferreira, DA press

Cuiabá - House of Noel
photo by Michel Alvim - SECOM/Cuiabá

Curitiba - Show at Avenida Palace, headquarters of HSBC

Fortaleza - Christmas tree at Ferreira Square,
photo by Tatiana Fortes

Manaus - Christmas tree at Ponta Negra beach 
photo by Evandro Seixas

Natal - main entrance of the city, The Three Kings

Porto Alegre -  musical show at Santander Cultural Center 
photo by Andrea Graiz, Agencia RBS

 Recife -  Christmas tree at wharf
photo by NE10

Rio de Janeiro - the amazing floating tree  with three million micro lamps at Lagoa district
photo by Alexandre Durão, G1

 Salvador - Christmas tree at Campo Grande Square 
photo by Telma

São Paulo - one of the scenes of the video reproduced in the lake of  the lightened Ibirapuera Park
with the phrase "Live the moments"

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

The cities that will host the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

A little bit of the cities that will host fans for 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais State

                                                               Belo Horizonte - downtown - photo by Marcus Desimoni - Portal da copa

                                               Panel designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyr for the Church of Saint Francis of Assis

Third most important industrial pole in the country, Belo Horizonte is recognized for its important personalities such as writers, musicians and politicians. In its surrounding areas, you find the cities of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas do Campo and Tiradentes, which hold stories from the cycle of gold and the baroque influence in Brazilian art. 

Ouro Preto hills

Detail of  barroque art from Brazilian artist Aleijadinho

Barroque churches in Mariana, 12 km or 8 miles away from Belo Horizonte

The city is also famous for its innumerous bars where you can try a delicious local cachaça, the typical Brazilian drink, and appreciate the tasty Minas Gerais food. As more than 8.000 producers of the liquor are established in the State of Minas Gerais, the cachaça tasting is one of the stars of the authentic itineraries that business travelers or international visitors can choose in the neighborhood of Belo Horizonte.

Cachaça production in a farm close to Belo Horizonte 

Authentic Brazilian food at Chafariz Restaurant in Ouro Preto 

The soccer rivalry in the city is polarized between Cruzeiro, symbolized by a fox, and Athletic, also known as “Galo.” The América Futebol Clube, a traditional sports owner in the state of Minas Gerais, is the third  force.

The Minas Gerais fan is very passionate. The city is already breathing to preparation for 2014, and has a countdown clock to the beginning of the world cup in Liberty Square, an important cultural pole of the city.

The temple for the fervor of local fans is Governor Magalhães Pinto stadium, called the Mineirão. A stage for big games since 1965, and with a capacity to house 64,000 fans, it could host six games during the World Cup.

Mineirão stadium

Celebrate life in Brazil

The world meets in Brazil. Come celebrate life!

2013 Confederations Cup

The official match ball of 2013 Confederations Cup, exposed in São Paulo city, at Paulista Ave.

The Adidas ball, whose name is Cafusa - the combination of three strong elements of the Brazilian culture: carnival, football and samba. 

The logo of the 2013 Confederations Cup that will be held in six different cities in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte in the southeast region; Salvador, Recife and  Fortaleza in the northeast region and Brasilia in the central west of the country.