Historic Centre of Salvador

The city of Salvador was founded in 1549 by Tomé de Souza. Most of the large buildings began to be built in 1624, after the wars against the Dutch.

Historical importance

The historic centre of Salvador is extremely rich in historic monuments dating from the 17th century to the 19th century. Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil and is one of the oldest cities in the New World.

Slave Market

In addition to its importance as a capital, Salvador was also the continent’s first slave market, receiving slaves to work on sugar plantations.

The Upper City

This area is located in the oldest part of the city, the Cidade Alta (Upper City) of Salvador. It covers several blocks around the Largo Triangular and is a vibrant place for music, restaurants and nightlife.

Restoration and recognition

In the 1990s, a restoration effort was undertaken that transformed the area into a highly desirable tourist attraction. In 1985, the historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Attractions and safety

The historic centre is famous for its many streets lined with churches, cafes, restaurants, shops and pastel-coloured buildings. Police officers patrol the area to ensure the safety of visitors.

See the map of Salvador

Videos about the monuments and sights of Salvador’s Historic Centre

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Barra e Pelourinho02:33

Igreja e Convento de São Francisco06:40

Centro Histórico de Salvador da Bahia04:13

5 Atrações INCRÍVEIS no Centro Histórico de Salvador04:35

Largo do Pelourinho em Salvador01:24

Terreiro de Jesus em Salvador01:00

História do Palácio Rio Branco em Salvador

Palácio Rio Branco em Salvador - Reportagem02:48

See also Highest points of interest in Salvador, Bahia

Points of interest in Pelourinho

1. Pelourinho Square

In the Historic Centre you can visit the Largo do Pelourinho, which houses the Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado, located in one of the townhouses of a 17th century architectural complex. This location also has a wide variety of art shops, museums, bars and restaurants.

The place has a lively nightlife and on Tuesdays you can see a performance by the famous percussion group Olodum.

Largo do Pelourinho, officially Praça José de Alencar, is a square located in the heart of the oldest part of the city of Salvador, in Bahia, Brazil.

Next to the old Portas do Carmo gates, close to the Terreiro de Jesus and one of the most famous groups of Baroque churches in the Americas, formed by the churches of the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco, all in gilded woodcarving; São Francisco; Rosário dos Pretos; Passo and the imposing Cathedral-Basilica, formerly the church of the College of Priests, where the poet Gregório de Matos studied and where Father Antônio Vieira preached.

Largo do Pelourinho (Pelourinho Square) is so named because for many years it was a place of torture, where condemned prisoners, tied to the pillory, were exposed to the eyes of passers-by and public condemnation.

Much blood has flowed over the round stones of its pavement, polished by time, especially the blood of tortured blacks who often died there, victims of their desire for freedom and the cruelty of their masters.

This place, the scene of so much tragedy and pain, but also of intense beauty, reproduced in photographs all over the world, is a must for anyone visiting the city of Salvador, where the Jorge Amado House is located.

2. Courtyard of Jesus

In the early years of the 1550s, during the founding of Salvador by Governor General Tomé de Sousa, the Jesuits were granted an area to the north of the new city. There the priests of the order, led by Manuel da Nóbrega, built a small adobe chapel and the first building of the Jesuit College in the city.

Due to the presence of priests from the Society of Jesus, the square in front became known as the Terreiro de Jesus. The college building was completed in 1590, but before that, in 1584, Gabriel Soares de Sousa recorded in his work “Notícia do Brasil” that “…this square and part of the street on the sea side is occupied by a sumptuous college of the priests of the Society of Jesus, with a beautiful and serene church…”.

The first small church built on the site in the 16th century was very small and fragile. Between 1652 and 1672, the Jesuits built a magnificent church, considered the most imposing of the 17th century in Brazil.

The Mannerist façade of the church, built with blocks of lioz stone brought from Portugal, still dominates the square. Inside, there are magnificent gilded Mannerist and Baroque altarpieces, a carved wooden ceiling and a sacristy.

In 1933, after the demolition of the old Cathedral of Salvador, the Jesuit church became the new Cathedral of Salvador.

In addition to the Cathedral, the square is home to the Convent and the Church of São Francisco, the Church of the Third Order of São Francisco, the Church of the Third Order of Saint Dominic and the Church of Saint Peter of the Clerics. These temples, especially the first two, are prime examples of Brazilian colonial art.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the building of the former Jesuit College was used as a hospital, and in 1833 Brazil’s first Medical School was founded there. The colonial building was lost in a fire in 1905 and replaced by another in eclectic style.

3. Church and Convent of São Francisco

Another must-see is the Church and Convent of São Francisco. This small convent, whose construction began in 1591, was later extended with the church of the same name.

Its altars are covered in gold; the choir and sacristy are masterpieces carved in rosewood. Note the ceiling of the entrance to the convent, which depicts an apotheosis of the Virgin Mary that seems to change as you move around the room.

The tiles depict scenes from the contemplative life of the monks. In the cloister on the ground floor there are 37 tile panels inspired by the engravings of the Flemish painter Otto Van Veen. It is well worth seeing; it is truly beautiful!

4. Rio Branco Palace in Salvador

The Rio Branco Palace, with its beautiful iron and crystal staircase, was built in the early 20th century and designed by the Italian architect Júlio Conti. The palace is open to visitors and has exhibitions of period furniture, silverware and pottery.

Leaving the Rio Branco Palace, you can visit the Lower City by taking the Lacerda Elevator.

Take the opportunity to stop by the Tourist Information Centre and pick up some brochures explaining everything you have seen and can see in Salvador.

To see everything in the Historic Centre, visit churches, museums, browse shops, take photos with the baianas (women in traditional Bahian dress) and enjoy the view from the Belvedere, you will need at least a day. A good option is to have lunch at the SENAC restaurant school in Pelourinho, which serves excellent traditional food.

Attractions in the Historic Centre of Salvador, Bahia

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide for Bahia and Salvador.

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