The Geotouristic Potential of “The English Channel” in the Serra do Lenheiro in São João del Rei – MG

Abstract

The English Channel, in Serra do Lenheiro in São João del Rei, is an important mining heritage, that is, arising from mining, historical and tourist, in addition to being extremely important for the geodiversity of the region, its preservation is of paramount importance because reproduces the historicity and (con)formation of the municipality, having been essential for the maintenance and permanence of people in the historical occasion of the 19th century, being an aqueduct, it served as water transport for the first communities to be able to maintain themselves, supplying their basic needs and especially economical. Its construction represents a significant example of 19th century engineering and collaboration between foreign technicians and local workers. The channel is part of an important geological complex, formed essentially by quartzite rocks called "Serra do Lenheiro", which, in the historical context, was an important scenario in the conquest and settlement of Minas Gerais, as the old Caminho Geral do Sertão passed through it. , later known as Estrada Real (Old Path), where, for example, Bandeirante Fernão Dias traveled, as well as Borba Gato, Matias Cardoso and Tomé Portes del-Rei, founder of São João del-Rei. The Municipality of São João del-Rei, through decree, namely, nº 1.654, of April 20, 1988, determines the area called “Serra do Lenheiro”, listed, for the purposes of landscape preservation, however it is necessary that the “Canal dos Ingleses”, a cultural element of the mountains, is protected by its own specific legislation that favors its preservation, considering its historical importance. Furthermore, the study points out that it is essential for proper geoconservation and management of the physical and heritage elements of the channel, despite its geotourist relevance and brings general concepts related to geodiversity.