The Island of Itaparica was discovered by Europeans on 1 November 1501 by Amerigo Vespucci, along with the Bay of All Saints. However, the island was already occupied by the Tupinambá Indians.
European occupation
The European occupation of the island of Itaparica began with a small settlement founded by the Jesuits in 1560 on the opposite coast, where the village of Baiacu is today – then called Vila do Senhor da Vera Cruz.
It was during this period that sugar cane and wheat cultivation began, and the first cattle were brought to the region. It was also in Baiacu that these religious figures built the first hydraulic engineering project in the colony: a dam to provide drinking water and services for the settlement.
Invasions and conflicts
The wealth generated on Itaparica Island in such a short time led to English pirates attacking the island as early as 1597. Between 1600 and 1647 it was invaded by the Dutch. During the last of these invasions, the Dutch even built a fort in the town of Itaparica called Forte de São Lourenço.
Role in independence
The island of Itaparica was the scene of an important battle in the fight for Bahia’s independence between 1821 and 1823.
Development and emancipation
It was in Itaparica that the first steam engine in Brazil was installed, at the Ingá-Açu mill.
The island was emancipated from Salvador on 8 August 1833 and elevated to city status on 30 July 1962. Later the municipality was divided into two: Itaparica and Vera Cruz.
Map of Itaparica Island, Bahia
See the map of Todos os Santos Bay
Documentary about the beauty and history of Itaparica Island
Ilha de Itaparica - Guia de Turismo11:15
Ilha de Itaparica - Dicas de Viagem07:23
Ilha de Itaparica - História06:28
Ilha de Itaparica - Documentário26:02
História da Ilha de Itaparica
Tourist Attractions on Itaparica Island
The Island of Itaparica is one of the most beautiful islands of the Brazilian coast. Its coastline is largely surrounded by coral reefs called “Recifes das Pinaúnas”, which stretch from Bom Despacho to Ponta de Aratuba.
The Pinaúnas Natural Reserve was created by Decree-Law 467 of 20 October 1997.
The island of Itaparica is located 45 minutes from Salvador by ferry or by the Mar Grande maritime transport system; it is connected to the mainland at its southeastern tip (Estreito do Funil) by the João das Botas Bridge, via the BA-001 road.
The town of Itaparica is the only seaside hydromineral resort in the Americas. Its water is carbonated and sulphated with a good dose of carbonic acid, with a radioactivity level at source of 0.82 mCi at 20 degrees Celsius. It has digestive and diuretic properties and is particularly recommended for patients with liver and spleen problems.
Another attraction in the town is the ice-cream vendor Picoleixon, a colourful local character. He has created names ending in “eixom” for the flavours of the ice creams he sells. A native of the city, he has appeared in several television programmes, including the famous Programa do Jô.
Conservation of Itaparica Island
In addition to its historical importance and unique geography, the island of Itaparica has a beautiful historical and architectural heritage, warm beaches, diverse folklore, local handicrafts and some of the most highly regarded cuisine in Brazil.
The historical records of the island are very rich, highlighting the arrival in 1510 of the Portuguese navigator Diogo Álvaro Correia, the Caramuru.
The famous shipyards on the island of Itaparica were also a centre of shipbuilding in the colony: the first keel of the Brazilian navy was laid there.
At that time, there were also five distilleries producing aguardente, as well as lime factories (nine in the mid-19th century). However, the island’s main economic activity was whaling, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. For this reason, before it was called Itaparica, it was known as Arraial da Ponta das Baleias (Whale Point Village).
Located thirteen kilometres by ferry from Salvador, Itaparica is the largest of the 56 islands in the Bay of All Saints.
It has more than forty kilometres of beaches (average temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius), with abundant tropical vegetation, where lush coconut trees predominate, facing the city of Salvador, separated by the Bay of All Saints.
“The Island”, as it is affectionately called by its residents, holidaymakers and tourists, has 146 square kilometres and 55,000 inhabitants spread over two municipalities: Itaparica, home to the only mineral water spring on the coast of the Americas.
The municipality of Vera Cruz has the luxury of having Mar Grande as its capital. Therefore, the municipality of Vera Cruz has as its urban area the locality of Mar Grande.
Between Itaparica, the town, and Cacha Pregos, the extreme points of the island’s coastline, there are beautiful beaches with excellent conditions for swimming and safety. A line of reefs acts as a breakwater, reducing the force of the waves and forming a natural nursery for octopus, lobster and other shellfish. Most of these beaches have shallow, calm and warm waters.
The island offers quality services at all levels – restaurants serving delicious seafood, boat trips, skydiving and a variety of entertainment.
Documentary about the island of Itaparica in Bahia
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