Located in the northeast coast of Brazil is Salvador, the mesmerizing capital of Bahia and one of the oldest cities in Brazil. Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil and was for a long time known as Bahia. Fondly known as ‘Brazil’s capital of happiness’ because of its fun-loving population, Salvador is famous for its great architecture, music and cuisines. The prestigious historical centre of Salvador, Pelourinho, is well-known for its 17th to 19th century Portuguese colonial architectural monuments that still stand stately in the old city centre.
Pelourinho is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site since 1985 and attracts a large number of tourists from across the world. The Portuguese arrived here in the early 16th century and by 1549, the first Governor-General of Brazil, Tomé de Sousa along with his fleet of Portuguese settlers, founded the city of Salvador. Overlooking the All Saints Bay, this colonial capital became an important seaport and a flourishing sugar industry along with becoming a centre for slave trade.
The city was divided into two levels, the upper, which became the administrative and religious section where most of the population settled down. The lower level became the financial centre with its market and important seaport for trade. In the 19th century, funiculars were introduced to link both the regions. Salvador grew rapidly as a city in the 16th century, becoming one of the largest and most developed cities in colonial America.
In 1624, the Dutch Republic captured Salvador along with some of the other north east ports, but a fleet of Spanish-Portuguese settlers once again took hold over the city. Salvador remained the capital city until in 1763 when Rio de Janeiro succeeded it as the new capital of Brazil. Since, Salvador developed as one of the most successful cities in the north east coast; it is obvious that the city has a lot to offer tourists in way of sightseeing, culture, food and activities.
The city’s rich history and wealthy past is reflected in the buildings in the historical city centre with its splendid 17 and 18th century colonial palaces, convents and churches that can be seen here. Massive restoration work has been done through the years to recreate the past splendor of the colonial period. The 17th century Cathedral of Salvador, the 18th century Convent and Church of Sao Francisco, the Neoclassical Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, the Mercado Modelo and the Lacerda Elevator are some of the beautiful attractions of the historical city centre.
Some of the well-known museums in Salvador include the Museu de Arte de Bahia that houses Chinese porcelain, paintings, furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, tapestry and other art objects, but the most precious is the Golden Jewelry and the ornamental silver buckles that are exhibited here. Other museums of significance include the Museu de Cidade, the Museu Nautica and important museums within churches and monasteries such as the Carmo da Misericordia and the Sao Bento Museums.
The vast stretch of attractive coastline with its wonderful beaches well-scattered between the two city levels with the lower level looking on to All Saints Bay and the upper city beaches opening into the Atlantic Ocean, all make it a great place of entertainment for the locals as well tourists. Swimming, diving, underwater fishing, sailing and surfing are some of the activities that one can enjoy at these beaches, which are always full of jolly, merrymaking people.
Hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfast, and hostels are spread out all over the city with most of the larger hotels located along the beaches while the others are well-located in parts of the historic city and the new city. The cuisine is largely African-oriented having been influenced by West Africa during the colonial period. One can savor some great traditional delicacies of the city, besides there are international cuisines available too, apart from the traditional recipes of other states of Brazil. Salvador is also a culturally rich city. Its grand carnival is famous throughout the world.
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