Poço do Soberbo

Starting in 1960, Americans mined the Poço do Soberbo for diamonds and tried to divert its water to drain it. In 1963, a major flood swept away the diversion dike and put an end to the operation. Around the pool remain the stone ruins of the mining houses and pieces of abandoned machinery, including parts of an old Alfa Romeo engine. The bottom is made of stones and sand that, when panned, reveals clear hexagonal crystals. In the dark, by the light of a torch, algae, catfish and small invertebrates adapted to the lack of light come into view.