A wonderful architectural complex built in the 17th Century, the Solar do Unhão offers wonderful views of the waterfront. The complex is a former sugar mill and a resident quarter and is now famed for its historical importance. The entire complex consists of a fountain, a slave quarter, a pier and a private aqueduct. The main building of the complex houses the Museum of Modern Art within it and is a must visit for its wonderful fine art collection. With ornate carvings in some parts of the building and its strategic location, the Solar do Unhão is a must visit for all the tourists.
The easiest and most authentic way to get from the lower city to the upper part is definitely on the Lacerda Elevator. This monolithic edifice was built in 1873 and always provides a picture perfect shot over the bay and city. At the bottom of the escarpment, visitors will find the Mercado Modelo and upon arrival above, the Praça Thomé de Souza. The elevator stretches 191 feet (72m) and its cabins can hold 32 people at once, all who travel at a rapid 22 seconds.
Probably one of the most popular places in the entire city of Salvador (next to Barra and Pelourinho), the enclave of Rio Vermelho has something for everyone. The area is filled with restaurants, bars and nightclubs of every type imaginable and it is here where the garrulous locals join together to celebrate the Festa de Yemanjá in February. The neighborhood also claims to have the best Acarajé (fried black-eyed peas filled with seafood) in the city. A definite stop on any itinerary, Rio Vermelho never disappoints visitors with its beautiful beaches and varied nightlife.
Also known as the Farol de Santo Antônio, this lighthouse is the first and oldest one on the continent. The Portuguese built the beacon to prevent shipwrecks like the tragic one that killed many aboard the Sacramento Santíssimo on the night of May, 5 1668. It was finished in 1698 and replaced again with a more modern one with a range of 18 nautical miles. It is part of the Santo Antônio Fort and the Museo Náutico da Bahia (Bahia Nautical Museum); the latter is an amazing museum that highlights the maritime history of Portugal and Salvador. Check museum website for details on how to visit the lighthouse.
Santo Antônio da Barra is a massive masonry fortification built on the Largo do Farol da Barra, the exact location where Governor Gonçalo Coelho first laid the stone cross for the Portuguese Crown or the Padrão. Today, it houses the Santo Antônio da Barra Nautical Museum and Barra Lighthouse, also known as the Farol da Barra. Over the centuries, the fort has undergone extensive renovations and additions; however, the views across All Saint's Bay remain unparalleled.
This Baroque masterpiece constructed over the 17th and 18th centuries is one of the most important religious buildings in Brazil and is also considered one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Portuguese World'. It is located right in the heart of historic Pelourinho and despite its stoic facade, the church's interior is decorated opulently in gold brocade from floor to ceiling. Its extravagantly-crafted interiors highlight the grandeur of Portuguese maritime power while also depicting a myriad of iconic scenes from the Bible in the sacristy. The church was designated as a historic structure in the year 1938 by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage. In addition to that, it was also enlisted into the Book of Historical Works the very same year.
A wonderful architectural complex built in the 17th Century, the Solar do Unhão offers wonderful views of the waterfront. The complex is a former sugar mill and a resident quarter and is now famed for its historical importance. The entire complex consists of a fountain, a slave quarter, a pier and a private aqueduct. The main building of the complex houses the Museum of Modern Art within it and is a must visit for its wonderful fine art collection. With ornate carvings in some parts of the building and its strategic location, the Solar do Unhão is a must visit for all the tourists.
Also known as the Farol de Santo Antônio, this lighthouse is the first and oldest one on the continent. The Portuguese built the beacon to prevent shipwrecks like the tragic one that killed many aboard the Sacramento Santíssimo on the night of May, 5 1668. It was finished in 1698 and replaced again with a more modern one with a range of 18 nautical miles. It is part of the Santo Antônio Fort and the Museo Náutico da Bahia (Bahia Nautical Museum); the latter is an amazing museum that highlights the maritime history of Portugal and Salvador. Check museum website for details on how to visit the lighthouse.
Built in the early 18th-century, the Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is very famed among devotees. Done in two dimensions, the dome of the church is marvelous and reminiscent of the neo-classical style of architecture. The alter of the church has an intricate carvings on it and the ceiling is painted by the famed local painter Franco Velasco. With regular services, the church is dedicated in spreading the word of God and is a must visit for all those interested in architecture.
Santo Antônio da Barra is a massive masonry fortification built on the Largo do Farol da Barra, the exact location where Governor Gonçalo Coelho first laid the stone cross for the Portuguese Crown or the Padrão. Today, it houses the Santo Antônio da Barra Nautical Museum and Barra Lighthouse, also known as the Farol da Barra. Over the centuries, the fort has undergone extensive renovations and additions; however, the views across All Saint's Bay remain unparalleled.
This Baroque masterpiece constructed over the 17th and 18th centuries is one of the most important religious buildings in Brazil and is also considered one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Portuguese World'. It is located right in the heart of historic Pelourinho and despite its stoic facade, the church's interior is decorated opulently in gold brocade from floor to ceiling. Its extravagantly-crafted interiors highlight the grandeur of Portuguese maritime power while also depicting a myriad of iconic scenes from the Bible in the sacristy. The church was designated as a historic structure in the year 1938 by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage. In addition to that, it was also enlisted into the Book of Historical Works the very same year.
This island in All Saint's Bay uses another Tupí name which means 'near the rocks' and it is the largest one near the mainland. It was once 'discovered' by explorer Amerigo Vespucci and subsequently occupied by Jesuits. Today it is an island paradise comprised of two small towns, Veracruz and Itaparica, both are tranquil and the latter has the only shoreline mineral baths in the Americas. Other natural wonders include the beaches around the island, the coral reefs and wildlife; a true refuge away from bustling Salvador.