Congonhas is a town around 100 km far from Tiradentes and Ouro Preto. The city is known for its main church complex - the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Matosinhos - and associated soapstone sculptures which were commissioned by Portuguese adventurer, Feliciano Mendes in the 18th century. It was created by Aleijadinho, one of the best artists in the baroque style in the world. The twelve sculptures of old testament prophets around the terrace are considered one of his finest works.
In 1985 the Sanctuary was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Aleijadinho, stands for 'little cripple' in Portuguese, (born Antônio Francisco Lisboa; 1730 or 1738 – November 18, 1814) was a Colonial Brazil-born sculptor and architect, noted for his works on and in various churches of Brazil. Born in Vila Rica (Rich Town), whose name was later changed to Ouro Preto (Black Gold), Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1738 (sometimes said to be in 1730) he was the son of Manuel Francisco da Costa Lisboa, a Portuguese man and his African slave, Isabel. The Basílica Bom Jesus do Matosinhos is located on the top of a mountain. In front of it, there are several chapels remembering the Jesus' Via Crucis. Inside each chapel, one finds several Aleijadinho sculptures.