The name of the Buraco do Padre is intimately connected with the history of the Jesuits who were there. The purpose of the Jesuits was to convert souls to Christianity, especially those of the new lands of the Americas. The Jesuits of the Campos Gerais came from the Holy Missions of Guairá, where they worked with the Indians of the Umbu tradition. The origin of the name Buraco do Padre can be linked to the custom of the Jesuit priests to go to the top of the plateau, for concentration and meditation, or simply for rest. Not infrequently they were seen by natives or caboclos, who came to call the place of Buraco do Padre. The place was much used for slaughter of Indians by the bandeirantes in centuries XVI and XVII. They were thrown from the top into the throat going to meet death. Some curiosities and beliefs surround the place. The story goes that some European researchers visited the Buraco do Padre. in the nineteenth century, and that on nights of clear skies fireballs fell, and somewhere nearby there was gold buried. These latter beliefs are due to the fact that the Jesuits had hurried away because of the influence that the Marquês de Pombal exerted on the King advising him to expel the Jesuits from Brazil, alleging that, due to their high degree of knowledge, they could mutiny the Indians against the crown, creating a rebellion in the Colony.