Gold town
Colonial traces.
128688968@N02 — CC BY-SA 2.0 · 128688968@N02 — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marcia Fatima Quevedo Zizzi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · User: (WT-shared) Cel.Mostarda at wts wikivoyage — Public domain · Marcia Fatima Quevedo Zizzi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcia Fatima Quevedo Zizzi — CC BY-SA 4.0
Cavalcante is a small town in northern Goiás, just north of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and about 330 kilometres from Brasília. In colonial times it was a big gold producer; today it is known for its rivers, waterfalls and trails, and serves as the northern base for exploring the region. The first settlers arrived in 1736 looking for gold, which was found near the Lava Pés stream; the village grew and took the name of its founder, Julião Cavalcante. By about 1806 the gold had run out and the population fell; it became a «vila» in 1831 and a municipality in 1953, and still keeps traces of gold-era architecture. Its lands are home to the Kalunga, descendants of Africans who escaped slavery and one of the largest quilombo communities in Brazil; their members lead visits to several of the waterfalls with a local guide. Dirt roads run from the town to these falls, so book a guide ahead in high season.
Colonial traces.
Local guides.
Around the town.
Cavalcante, north of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás state
About 330 kilometres.