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Salvador is a Brazilian municipality and capital city of the state of Bahia. Situated in the Zona da Mata in the Northeast Region of Brazil, Salvador is recognized throughout the country and internationally for its cuisine, music, and architecture.
Aug 3, 2012 · Discover Salvador, the pulsating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture and history. Explore its colonial architecture, vibrant festivals, Candomblé ceremonies and tropical coastline with Lonely Planet.
- Overview
- History
- The contemporary city
Salvador, city, major port, and capital (since 1889) of Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is the country’s third largest city. Salvador is situated at the southern tip of a picturesque, bluff-formed peninsula that separates Todos os Santos (All Saints) Bay, a deep natural harbour, from the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a hot tropical cli...
One of the country’s oldest cities, Salvador was founded in 1549 as the capital of the Portuguese colony of Brazil by Tomé de Sousa, the first governor-general. As the entrepôt of the thriving sugar trade that developed along the bay shores, the city soon became a tempting prize for pirates and enemies of Portugal. It was captured by Dutch forces in 1624 but was retaken the following year. It remained under Portuguese control for the next two centuries. Salvador was the last Portuguese stronghold during the war for Brazilian independence, holding out until July 1823, when the last Portuguese troops were expelled. A monument commemorating the Brazilian victory is in a plaza in the Campo Grande district.
Salvador was a major centre for the African slave trade in the colonial period. Muslim African slaves in the city staged a widespread revolt there in 1835. Salvador still has one of the largest concentrations of black and mulatto populations in Brazil. Those groups have contributed many of the folkways, costumes, and distinctive foods for which the city is noted.
Imports consist chiefly of manufactured goods, while exports include tobacco, sugar, sisal, hides, castor beans, aluminum, iron ore, and petroleum from the nearby Candeias oil field. Food and tobacco processing, textile, ceramics, and automobile manufacturing, chemical production, metallurgy, woodworking and leatherworking, and shipbuilding and repair are Salvador’s main industries. The port of Salvador is one of the finest in Brazil and includes a yacht harbour. Salvador is well served by domestic and foreign shipping lines and airlines, and there are rail and bus connections with central and southern Brazil. An international airport is located about 12 miles (20 km) northeast of the city centre. Tourism, based on the city’s historic sites and the fine beaches that ring it on three sides, has become a significant component of the economy.
A distinctive feature of Salvador is its division into lower (cidade baixa) and upper (cidade alta) parts. The port, commercial district, and adjoining residential zones lie at the foot of a cliff on a low shelf of land facing west onto the bay, only a few feet above sea level. The principal shopping districts, state and municipal government offices, and leading residential areas are on the upper level, extending northward for several miles and eastward to the Atlantic shore. In addition, most of the city’s historic sights are near the edge of the upper city. The old city centre, the Pelourinho (“Pillory”), was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. The area underwent considerable restoration work in the 1990s, and many colonial-era buildings were preserved. The upper and lower sections are connected by a few graded winding roads, a funicular railway, and several elevators. The Lacerda elevator, an outstanding landmark, is the chief link, lifting passengers 234 feet (71 metres) between the separate streetcar systems.
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- Get to know Salvador’s main tourist attractions. Mercado Modelo. The Mercado Modelo is in the lower part of the city and it is one of the entrances to the Historic Center.
- Relax on the edge of Salvador Beaches. If you are in doubt about what to do in Salvador on a sunny day, don’t worry. The beaches in the Bahian capital provide a variety of activities.
- Strengthen your faith. It can be in some of the 372 catholic churches or in some terreiro, a space dedicated to the candomblé’s orixás, the faith is part of the Bahian culture.
- Go for the Bahian cuisine. Leave your diet aside and enjoy the delights of Bahia. In moderation, of course. 😅. Traditional food. The Bahian food is delicious and unique.
- Walk the Cobblestone Streets of Pelourinho. You didn’t visit Salvador if you didn’t wander through the streets of Pelourinho. It’s such a unique place that you’ll absolutely want to take the time to walk the cobblestone streets of Pelourinho.
- Ride the Lacerda Lift. Easily one of the most popular Brazilian landmarks and places to go in Salvador is the Lacerda Lift. It has tons of history dating back to the 17th century when an old pulley system was put in place here to help move objects from the Lower City to the Upper City.
- Visit the Cathedral of Salvador. If you’re looking for things to do in Salvador, consider visiting the Cathedral of Salvador. This church was built in the 17th century and is an excellent example of the Baroque style of architecture.
- See a Performance at the Bahian Folklore Ballet. For a unique cultural experience, you absolutely must see a performance! The Bahian Folklore Ballet was created years ago and is now one of the most important theatrical traditions in Salvador because of the passion and energy of the performers.
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Mar 7, 2019 · Learn how to get around, where to eat, what to see and how to stay safe in Salvador, Brazil's vibrant and charismatic city. Discover the best nightlife, music, food and culture in this ultimate city guide.
Jan 24, 2019 · More than anywhere else in this multiethnic country, Salvador is steeped in Afro-Brazilian culture — from the worship of Yoruba deities (orixás), to the acrobatic practice of capoeira, to a...
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