Mariana is the oldest city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is a tourist city, founded on July 16, 1696, and retains the characteristics of a baroque city, with its churches, buildings and museums. It was the first capital of Minas Gerais. Other historical cities in Minas Gerais are Ouro Preto, São João del-Rei, Diamantina, Tiradentes, Congonhas and Sabará. It has an area of . The municipality contains a very small part of the of Serra do Gandarela National Park, created in 2014. In 2015, it suffered a major dam disaster. References External links Municipalities in Minas Gerais Populated places established in 1696 1696 establishments in the Portuguese Empire