Journey on the Estrada Real

Brazil's Estrada Real — The Royal Road — was constructed in 1697 to allow the Portuguese to bring the gold and diamonds down from the hills of Minas Gerais. It stretched over 800 miles from the ports at Rio de Janeiro and Paraty to the mines at Diamantina. 


The road is still there, winding through the mountains of Minas Gerais, passing through villages and towns once opulent, now deteriorating but still remaining very much in the 19th century. 


Glenn Alan Cheney walked up the road for two months, writing about the life, culture, history, geography, architecture, traditions and people he observed along the way. he offers a unique look at the cradle of Brazilian culture. In a present and personal style, he puts the reader into this world that so few know. 


The iPad version includes photos. You can see some of them and read excerpts at cheneybooks.com .