The Brazilian state of Bahia is located on the Atlantic coast of Brazil in equatorial climes with its attendant heat and humidity. Its average annual temperature is 25 º C or 76 º F. The state’s long coast is known variously as the “Coast of Whales”, the “Coconut Palm Coast”, the “Oil Palm Coasst”, the “Cocoa Coast” and the “Coast of Discovery”.

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Capoeira Beyond Brazil

Brazil’s Living Museum: Race, Reform, and Tradition in Bahia

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Photos courtesy of TPOChile.com / Juan Harrington – Film and Commercial Production Services

The state capital, Salvador, is a colonial jewel which, from 1549 through 1763, served as Brazil’s first colonial capital, settled in large part by African slaves whose descendants now form up to about 80% of the current population. It lies on All Saints Bay (Bahia de Todos os Santos), Brazil’s largest, encompassing some 400 islands with the best snorkeling and diving sites in the country, many of which are shipwreck sites teeming with aquatic life.

Salvador, also known as the “City of Joy”, abounds with expressions of art, music & dance and other aspects and manifestations of the Afro-Brazilian culture. It is the place to enjoy the movements of Capoeira – which looks akin to a rhythmic and ballet-like precision form of kick-boxing – and the rhythm of the Berimbau, a one-stringed, bow-like instrument which uses a gourd and the player’s belly as it’s sound chamber

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Sightseeing in Salvador da Bahia

Salvador has a proud heritage and a wealth of colonial architecture, churches and museums to explore. In 1985, Salvador Historical center was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Here are some of Salvador’s most interesting sites to visit:

Lacerda Elevator – This tower with four electric lifts provides access between the High and Low areas of town (Cidade Baixa and Cidade Alta) and fabulous panoramic views of Salvador from it’s top. It is 74 meters in height.

Rio Branco Palace – This elaborate and imposing government palace holds a number of art works.

The Archbishop’s Palace dates from the early 18th C. and housed Brazil‘s Archbishop, with a beautiful and elaborate baroque-style frontispiece.

Afro-Brazilian Museum, Pelourinho – Features permanent exhibitions of African and Afro-Brazilian arts and crafts, relics, historical documents and artifacts related to the Afro-Brazilian culture. Located in the old Faculty of Medicine on Terreiro de Jesus.

Solar do Ferrão – This building currently holds the Artistic and Cultural Heritage Institute of Bahia and the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum with its collection of religious relics.

Casa de Jorge Amado – this foundation showcases life and works of Jorge Amado, Bahia’s best known author. Location: Largo do Pelourinho 51, Pelourinho.
Free admission.

Museu da Cidade – features artifacts, art, furniture, sculpture, documents and photos showcasing the history and culture of the city as it grew through history. Address: Largo do Pelourinho No. 3

Mercado Modelo – Great market housed in the location of what was the customs building and slave warehouse which was racked by fire in both 1969 and 1983. Rebuilt in its original 19th C. style, it offers trade goods, arts and crafts, tourist mementos and souvenirs of the area, restaurants and bars. Locataed at Praça Cayru, near the Lacerda elevator, Cidade Baixa

Solar do Unhão – Waterfront complex built in the 17th C as residence for the Chief Justice, Pedro do Unhão Castelo Branco. Features courtyard, aqueduct and fountain, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, pier and sugar mill. The main building was restored to hold Bahia’s Museum of Modern Art.

Museum Carlos Costa Pinto – Features a collection by Carlos Costa Pinto of goods, furniture, silverware and traditional articles from the city’s founding families. The Museum is housed in Costa Pinto family mansion.

Porto da Barra, Pereira’s Villa – Port area which was the only area in which small craft could land safely without being pounded against surrounding reefs. Fort Santa Maria and Fort São Diogo at the entrance to the port, protected it from invaders.

Santo Antônio Além do Carmo Fort – Built as protection for the northern access to the city in the latter part of the 17th C.

São Marcelo Fort, or Fort of the Sea – Round fort built in the harbor in the 1600′s by Felipe Guiton, it was called the “Bellybutton of Bahia” by Jorge Amado.

Fort of Santo Antônio da Barra – The city’s first fort constructed to protect the entrance to Todos os Santos Bay. The irregular 10-sided polygon held Bahia’s first lighthouse (wooden) which was replaced in 1836 and is currently run by electricity. The fort offers a restaurant/bar and Nautical Museum.

Nossa Senhora de Mont Serrat Fort – Considered the most beautiful and harmoniously built military construction of Brazil, the fort hold a weapons museum and also offers theatrical simulations of the conquest and re-conquest of 1624.

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Tags: Brazil, Jorge Amado, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador Bahia, Santo Antônio da Barra, South America, Travel and Tourism