Brazil/brazil260
Previous | Home | NextThe Museu do Ouro is devoted mainly to the historic gold production in the area. Gold bars were cast here, stamped with the royal seal, and shipped to Portugal. The wealth of Sabará grew, and elegance adorned mansions, public halls, churches, fountains, and sacred art. It was in this foundry that in 1780 some of the gold bars broke when struck. The cause for this brittleness was not understood until palladium was discovered in 1803 and it was recognized that gold from some regions in Minas Gerais had a high palladium content. This particular form of brittle gold was called "ouro poudré," meaning "poor gold." Courtesy, Museu do Ouro.
