São Marcelo Fort

The São Marcelo Fort in All Saint’s Bay is one of Portugal’s first citadels on the newly discovered continent. Construction first began on a fort in 1623 and over the centuries it received modifications in order to repel the Dutch, French and Spanish from occupying Salvador. São Marcelo sits upon an outcropped reef that stretches just a few hundred feet from the port and it is a magnificent spot to see the Salvador skyline. After the Portuguese had finally established the city, the fort was used as a prison for exiles. Recently, a museum opened for visitors, however the fort is closed temporarily and the only way to see it is from the outside. Nonetheless, it is still an edifice that fascinates visitors and locals alike with its particular view on the city’s history.