The Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina comprises a city landscape adapted from European models to an American context.The city's history began in 1713 when an expedition found diamonds on the mountain slopes and along the rivers in this region. A first settlement was started, Arraial do Tijuco.In 1731 the Portuguese Crown became aware of its wealth, and set up a seperate body to administer the region. Mining rights were granted to private enterprises at first, but soon the Crown took ba