Churches of Salvador, Bahia: Architectural and Historical Treasures

The churches of Salvador, Bahia, are architectural and historical treasures that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the city, which was the first capital of Brazil and an important centre of Catholicism during the colonial period.

With styles ranging from Baroque to Neoclassical, these churches are not only places of worship, but also landmarks of Brazilian history and art.

Religiousness in Salvador

Religiousness is a strong characteristic of the people of Salvador. This can be seen in the 160 churches scattered throughout Salvador, true monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries that illustrate the power of Catholicism at that time.

Afro culture and Candomblé

In addition to the religious temples, the Afro-Candomblé culture is present throughout Salvador, from the stalls selling acarajé, with their baianas dressed in white in honour of Oxalá, to the more than 500 terreiros scattered throughout the city.

Religious highlights

Among the most impressive religious buildings in Bahia is the Church of São Francisco. The interior is almost entirely covered in gold – more than 100 kilograms of the precious metal were used in the decoration.

When light enters through the church doors, the bright reflection is a sight to behold. This usually happens around 5pm when the doors are opened for the faithful to attend mass.

The Church of Senhor do Bonfim is also one of the most famous, mainly because of the traditional washing of the steps.

The ceremony, which takes place on the second Thursday after Epiphany, brings together women in traditional costume and hundreds of clay pots filled with fragrant water. As well as the washing ritual, the interior of the church is impressive with its ceiling paintings, made in 1820 by the Spanish artist Francisco Velasco.

These churches and their traditions are a testament to the rich history and cultural diversity of Salvador, which continues to enchant visitors and residents alike.

Videos about Churches in Salvador – History and Architecture

See also Evolution and History of the Visual Arts in the Northeast and The Historic Centre of Salvador

Churches in Salvador, Bahia

1. Main characteristics

The colonial churches of Salvador, Bahia, are important examples of religious architecture in Brazil and reflect the cultural, historical and artistic wealth of the city, which was the first capital of the country. These churches, built between the 16th and 18th centuries, are characterised by a combination of European styles, adapted to local conditions and materials, and often decorated with elements that reflect the cultural diversity of Bahia.

1. Baroque and Rococo styles

• Baroque: The predominant style in colonial churches in Salvador is Baroque, which is characterised by rich decoration, with exuberant ornamentation, gilded woodcarving and intricate altars. This style seeks to create an intense sensory experience, combining art and architecture to inspire religious devotion. The Church of São Francisco is one of the most outstanding examples of this style, with interiors covered in gold.
• Rococo: At the end of the colonial period, some churches incorporated elements of Rococo, a lighter and more graceful style, with more delicate ornamentation and the use of softer colours. This style can be seen in some chapels and side altars within churches.

2. Golden carving

• Gilded wood carving is one of the most striking features of colonial churches in Salvador. The interiors of churches are often lined with carved wood covered in gold leaf, especially on altars, pulpits and side chapels. This woodwork, known as “talha”, demonstrates the skill of the craftsmen of the time and the opulence that the Catholic Church sought to convey.

3. Portuguese Tiles

• Many churches in Salvador are decorated with Portuguese tiles, which were used both for decoration and to tell stories from the Bible and about saints. These tiles, brought from Portugal, were mainly used in the cloisters and corridors, such as in the Church of São Francisco, where the tiles depict scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

4. Sober facades

• In contrast to the richly decorated interiors, the façades of Salvador’s colonial churches tend to be more sober and austere. Built of stone or mortar, the façades are generally simple, with few ornaments, but with typical Baroque elements such as curved gables, niches for images of saints and portals with ornate mouldings.

5. The Latin Cross Plan.

• Most of the colonial churches in Salvador were built according to the Latin cross plan, which is the traditional shape for Catholic churches, with a central nave, side chapels, a transept (the intersection between the nave and the transverse arm) and a high altar. This plan, in addition to being functional, symbolises the Cross of Christ.

6. The influence of Catholicism and religious syncretism

• The colonial churches of Salvador are deeply influenced by the Catholic faith, but also reflect religious syncretism, a fusion between Catholicism and African religions. Some churches, such as the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People, have strong links with Afro-Brazilian culture and are attended by communities of African descendants who blend Catholic and Candomblé religious practices.

7. Use of local materials

• Although they follow European architectural styles, the churches of Salvador were built using local materials such as stone, mortar and tropical wood, adapting European techniques to the climate and resources available in Bahia. This resulted in sturdy constructions able to withstand the weather and the tropical climate.

8. Decoration with local influences

• In addition to European elements, the colonial churches of Salvador incorporate local influences into their decoration. This is evident in the depictions of saints, which often take on features closer to the local population, and in artistic expressions that reflect Afro-Brazilian culture.

9. Presence of side chapels and richly decorated sacristies

• Many of these churches have side chapels and sacristies that are as richly decorated as the main altar. These areas were used for specific devotions and also for the storage of liturgical objects and relics, often decorated with gilded woodcarvings, paintings and tiles.

10. Monumental High Altar

• The high altar of colonial churches in Salvador is usually the focal point of the church interior, elaborately decorated with gilded wood carvings, sacred images, paintings and relics. These altars were designed to impress the faithful and enhance the religious experience.

2. History and Architecture

The colonial churches of Salvador are true museums of sacred art, representing the synthesis of European and African influences that have shaped Bahian culture.

1. Primatial Cathedral Basilica of Salvador
2. Convent of Saint Teresa
3. Church of the Afflicted
4. Church of Bonfim
5. Basilica of Our Lady of the Conception of Praia or Church of Our Lady of the Conception of Praia
6. Church of Our Lady of Mount Serrat
7. Church of Our Lady of the Black Rosary
8. Church and Monastery of São Francisco
9. Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis
10. Church of Our Lady of Pilar and Saint Lucy
11. Church of Our Lady of the Sea
12. Parish of Our Lady of the Floods
13. Church and Monastery of Santa Clara do Desterro
14. Shrine of Santa Dulce of the Poor
15. Church of Our Lady of Victory
16. Church of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo (Santo Antônio Além do Carmo Neighbourhood)

1. Primatial Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

Fundação: 1672

Location: Terreiros de Jesus, Pelourinho, in the historic centre of Salvador.

Considered the “mother church” of all Catholic temples in Salvador, the Cathedral Basilica hosts the most important liturgical ceremonies in the state, presided over by the Archbishop Primate.

The mother of all Bahian churches, it has bells imported from Portugal, and inside there are elaborate altarpieces from different periods.

Built in true Baroque style, the church has a magnificent collection of religious art. It is the largest temple built by the Jesuits in Brazil.

The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador is considered one of the most important churches in Bahia. It was the fourth temple built by the Jesuits in the capital of Bahia between 1652 and 1672, and is the last remaining part of the architectural complex of the College of Jesus.

Designed by the architect Francisco Dias, it has 13 altars, the first two of which are in Mannerist Renaissance style.

The façade is made entirely of lioz stone imported from Portugal, and the niches under the doors represent Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Francis of Borja.

When the Jesuits left the country, the church was abandoned and used as a military hospital and the first medical school in Brazil, founded in 1833.

Also in 1938, the church was declared an individual monument by IPHAN, and its entire collection is also protected.

Find out more about the history and architecture of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

2. Monastery of Santa Teresa

Location: Rua do Sodré, 276, Centro

One of the attractions of this monastery is the Museum of Sacred Art, one of the most important in Portugal.

One of the most important cities in the Northeast, with a permanent exhibition of religious objects from the colonial period.

This mid-17th century complex is considered one of the most important monuments of religious architecture from the Brazilian colonial period.

It has beautiful gardens with panoramic views of Todos os Santos Bay, making it one of the most pleasant places to visit in historic Salvador.

The building houses the Museum of Sacred Art, maintained by the Federal University of Bahia, with a collection of around 1,400 pieces – including wooden and terracotta images, sculptures, paintings, tiles, silverware and furniture – dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.

See also History of the Convent and Church of Santa Teresa or Museum of Sacred Art UFBa in Salvador, Bahia.

3. Church of the Afflicted

Location: Rua dos Aflitos

The Church of the Afflicted was built with alms and donations from the Portuguese Antônio Soares, who built it in the 18th century on the slope of the geological fault where Av. do Contorno was built in the 20th century.

From there you can see the sea and the houses of Gamboa. It’s so beautiful.

This is one of the few remaining viewpoints over the bay of Todos-os-Santos in Salvador.

The area around the temple is also worth a visit, especially the houses with their typical 19th century architecture. Visiting hours are from Monday to Friday, from 8 to 12 and from 14.30 to 18.

4. Church of Bonfim

Fundação: 1745

Location: Senhor do Bonfim Square, in the Bonfim district, a place known as the Sacred Hill.

The most famous religious temple in Bahia is not the largest or the most beautiful.

But in its 237 years, it carries the weight of Bahia’s history and culture. Inside, one of the most visited areas is the Sala dos Milagres (Hall of Miracles) and the Museu dos Ex-votos (Museum of Votive Offerings).

It is the most popular church in Bahia. The traditional washing of the steps of the Church of Bonfim attracts thousands of pilgrims, worshippers and tourists on the second Thursday of January, after Epiphany.

The façade is partly tiled. The interior of the temple is built in neoclassical style.

The gates surrounding the room are covered with thousands of Senhor do Bonfim ribbons, symbols of the Bahian faith, placed there by devotees from all over the world who visit the temple and make requests to the saint.

One of Salvador’s trademarks is the Senhor do Bonfim ribbon, which is handed out at the church of the same name, located in Largo do Bonfim, considered a historical landmark in the capital of Bahia.

As well as receiving the traditional ribbons and making their requests, tourists can admire the architecture of the church, which dates back to 1745.

Visitors to the religious temple can also experience the popular Lavagem do Bonfim, which takes place on the second Thursday of the year and is considered the second largest popular event in Bahia, after Carnival.

5. Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Beach

Location: Rua da Conceição da Praia, Comércio district, close to two of Salvador’s main attractions: Elevador Lacerda and Mercado Modelo.

Fundação: 1549

Spacious, naturally lit and facing the sea, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia or Basilica of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia was prefabricated in Alentejo, Portugal. The lioz stones were numbered on site and brought to the colony, where they were assembled in 1765.

Its greatest treasure is the ceiling of the nave, which features an illusionist painting from 1772 by master José Joaquim da Rocha, founder of the Bahia School of Painting and one of the greatest names in Brazilian Baroque art.

The church houses the ruins of Salvador’s first house of prayer, founded by Brazil’s first Governor General, Thomé de Souza.

The baroque temple has the only 3D ceiling painting in Latin America.

The work is in the shape of a spaceship and measures 633.60 m² and 18.20 cm high. The technique used was oil painting.

The neoclassical façade is different from other colonial churches in Bahia, with diagonal towers. It is open on Mondays from 7.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00; Tuesday to Friday from 7.00 to 17.00; Saturday and Sunday from 7.00 to 12.00.

See the History of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Conception of Praia.

6. Church of Our Lady of Mont Serrat

Location: Rua Santa Rita Durão, Ponta do Humaitá.

Founded: 1580

The exact date of the founding of the primitive sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Monte Serrat is unknown, but some believe that it was built by the governor of Brazil, Francisco de Souza, at the same time as he built the Fort of São Felipe, founded in 1580.

The architectural complex dates from the second half of the 17th century and was designed by the Italian architect Baccio de Filicaya.

The small church was built by the Governor General of Brazil, Francisco de Souza, at the same time as he built the Fort of São Felipe. Francisco de Souza donated the temple to the convent of São Bento.

The Church and Convent of Monte Serrat have been declared a Historic-Artistic Heritage Site by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan).

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was renovated and the high altar received ornaments from the church of São Bento. It houses an image of St. Peter Penitent by friar Agostinho da Piedade.

Built between the 16th and 17th centuries next to the port of Monte Serrat, the church stands on a rock jutting out into the sea, giving the impression of being integrated into the landscape.

7. Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People

Fundação: 1685

Location: Praça José de Alencar, in Largo do Pelourinho, the historic centre of Salvador.

A building that is part of the architectural heritage of Pelourinho, the church, with its rococo façade, was built especially to welcome the faithful who immigrated from the African coast.

Built between 1704 and 1796, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People began construction in 1704. Completed in 1796, it was built by slaves and painted blue, colouring the heart of the historic centre.

A legacy of the pre-abolition era, the church grounds include a slave cemetery.

The façade, with its rococo pediment, has beautiful carvings and impressive towers. Inside, the tiled panels, neoclassical altars and three 18th-century images stand out: Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Benedict.

The ceiling is by José Joaquim da Rocha.

Its religious identity makes it unique. It was built by enslaved Christians who had no place to worship.

During the mass, the faithful sing and dance to the sound of atabaques, agagogôs and pandeiros, instruments associated with African culture.

According to the prior of the Brotherhood, Leomar Borges, this is the only church dedicated to black saints to have the title of Third Order, granted by the Curia on 2 July 1899. The church has a rococo style and neoclassical altars.

The masses have an atypical characteristic of religious syncretism, where Candomblé and Catholicism stand side by side.

On Tuesdays at 6pm and Sundays at 10am, mass is celebrated to the sound of African ritual drums.

8. Church and Monastery of São Francisco

The first disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi arrived in Salvador in 1587, the year in which the first monastery was probably founded.

A few decades later, during the Dutch invasion of 1624, both the church and the friars’ quarters were left in ruins and the complex had to be rebuilt.

And with the growth of the Order, in 1686 the Franciscan superior, friar Vicente das Chagas, promoted works not only for expansion, but practically for the construction of a new convent and a new church, much larger than the previous ones.

The first stone of the new church was laid on the feast day of Saint Anthony.

The work continued for many years and involved several generations of friars.

In 1713, under the direction of Superior Friar Hilário da Visitação, the church already had altars (still without gold) and was consecrated. However, the general structure of the building would not be completed until ten years later, when the façade, entirely in stone, was finished.

Throughout the 18th century, many additions were made to embellish the Church and Convent of São Francisco: new altars were built (and the existing ones were covered in gold), the ceiling was decorated, the walls were covered with tiles from Lisbon, balustrades were installed, etc.

This church is considered one of the most beautiful in Brazil and one of the best examples of Portuguese Baroque architecture in the world.

9. Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis

Fundação: 1703

Location: Rua da Ordem Terceira, Pelourinho, Historic Centre.

A striking example of Brazilian Baroque architecture, the Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis, located in Salvador, Bahia, had its foundation stone laid on 1 January 1702.

Its exuberant high-relief façade, carved in limestone with sandstone corners, has a marble image of Saint Francis in the central niche.

The original baroque interior was replaced by neoclassical altars between 1827 and 1828.

The Portuguese tiles, however, were largely preserved and are distributed throughout the cloister, consistory, corridors and galleries of the church.

They show scenes of Lisbon before the earthquake that destroyed the city in 1755 and the wedding procession of Prince José and Maria Ana de Bourbon.

The church also houses important works of sacred art, such as the sculpture of the Dead Lord Weeping Tears of Rubies by Francisco das Chagas Xavier, as well as a room dedicated to the saints, where life-size images of them are displayed.

The Church of the Third Order of St. Francis was built between the 17th and 18th centuries and is in the Spanish Baroque style.

Inside, there are paintings on the ceiling and a collection of Portuguese tiles from the colonial period. Among the church’s curiosities, it is said that more than a tonne of gold was used for the interior decoration.

10. Church of Our Lady of Pilar and Saint Lucy

Fundação: 1710

Location: Praça do Pilar, 55, in the Comércio district.

Built in the Rococo style, with rock decorations and soft paintings, the church’s main attraction is the fountain of Santa Lucia, known as the patron saint of the eyes.

Thousands of worshippers visit the temple and bathe their eyes in a fountain inside the church, believing that their eyesight will be cured.

11. Our Lady of the Seas Church

Base: The current main church was built between 1930 and 1956.

Location: Praça Padre Manoel da Natividade, in Largo dos Mares.

However, Nossa Senhora dos Mares Church was the first temple dedicated to the saint, founded in the same area almost 200 years earlier, in 1749. It was demolished to make way for the new temple.

It is the only church in Bahia built in the Neo-Gothic style, characterised by its vertical lines, pyramidal roof, pointed towers and the predominance of windows and rosettes.

12. Parish of Our Lady of the Floods

Founded: 7 July 1980, during the first visit of Pope John Paul II to Brazil.

Location: Rua Luiz Régis Pacheco, in the Alagados region, in the Uruguai district.

Unlike secular churches, the church was built in a contemporary architectural style, clad in exposed brick in rectangular and circular shapes.

The church is located in a suburb of the capital of Bahia.

13. Church and Monastery of Santa Clara do Desterro

Foundation: 1677

Location: R. Santa Clara, S/N – Nazaré, Salvador

The Convent of Santa Clara do Desterro was founded in 1677, when four sisters of the Order of St. Clare from Évora, Portugal, came to Brazil to establish religious education.

When they arrived in Bahia, they stayed on board the ship for ten days, waiting for some work to be done on the convent, which at that time was nothing more than a small church called Desterro.

Founded in 1681 on the site of a small church and the Hospício do Desterro (Exile Hospice), which at the time had five or six cells, it was the first convent in the country.

The convent of the Poor Clares is built around two cloisters, with the church on one side.

The architectural composition is highlighted by the tower, from the first half of the 18th century, with a bulbous finish, located in the body that divides the cloisters, and also by the lookout point – a common feature in religious convents – used here for the first time in Bahia.

The church, inserted volumetrically into the rectangle of the composition, has a single nave, choir, “low choir” and “high choir” and side access, with neoclassical decoration, the result of renovations in the 19th century.

On the first floor of the convent is the Chapel of the Holy Cross of Passos, with an altar and altarpieces from the 19th century.

The convent has a large collection of silverware and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

In 1907 the order ceased to train nuns by superior decree, as the novitiate was forbidden. The few surviving Poor Clares passed on their teachings and duties to their successors, the Franciscan sisters.

To carry on the work of the Poor Clares, there are now 20 sisters at the Convento do Desterro, who are responsible for running an orphanage for 50 children.

The older sisters, says Sister Maria do Rosário, help with sewing, making sweets and liqueurs, and cooking, which are sold to support the boarding school.

In addition, the convent currently has a day school, and tuition fees provide financial support for its charitable work.

During its three centuries of operation, the Convento do Desterro has undergone some repairs, but still retains much of its original structure.

See also the History of the Church and Convent of Santa Clara do Desterro.

14. Sanctuary of Saint Dulce of the Poor

Founded: 2003

Location: Av. Dendezeiros do Bonfim, in Largo de Roma, Salvador

Known as Saint Dulce of the Poor, Sister Dulce will be canonised by Pope Francis in October 2019, becoming the first saint to be born in Brazil.

The sanctuary contains the remains of the “Good Angel of Bahia”, as she is known to many of the faithful.

At the Santa Dulce dos Pobres Sanctuary, visitors can also attend Mass and learn about the life and work of Sister Dulce in the memorial that preserves the history of her life and work.

The Santa Dulce dos Pobres Sanctuary, always open to welcome and offer spiritual support to those most in need, has been in operation since 2003 and was built thanks to the help of the faithful and donations.

The Sanctuary is located in Salvador, next to the headquarters of Sister Dulce Social Works (OSID), in Largo de Roma, and can accommodate more than 1,000 people.

Construction of the church began in 2002 with a brick campaign on the same site where Sister Dulce had built the Bahia Workers’ Circle and the Cine Roma cinema in the 1940s.

Chapel of Relics

The relics (a term used to refer to the body or part of the body of a saint or blessed) of the Good Angel of Brazil are kept in the Sanctuary, in a room called the Chapel of Relics – a circular room with a three-storey ceiling, with the tomb containing the remains of the Mother of the Poor in the centre.

A place of devotion and faith, the Chapel of Relics was inaugurated on 9 June 2010, when the body of the then Venerable Dulce was transferred from the Chapel of Saint Anthony (located in the Sister Dulce Memorial) to its new home. The transfer took place after the exhumation of the nun’s body, followed by a vigil.

In September 2019, the site underwent further renovation and received a glass tomb with a life-size effigy of Saint Dulce of the Poor.

15. Church of Our Lady of Victory

Foundation: 1561

Location: Praça Rodrigues Lima, in Largo da Vitória, Salvador

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Vitória has been declared a Historical Monument by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan). It is the second oldest temple in Brazil. Built in the 16th century, the church houses a large number of baroque paintings from the 18th century Bahia school.

The temple has undergone several renovations over time, and the site has great architectural beauty, with neoclassical elements on the façade. Visitors to the church can also enjoy the beautiful views over the Bay of All Saints.

The sanctuary was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and houses a large number of baroque paintings from the 18th century Bahian school.

The building has been renovated several times, and in 1910 the façade was modified with the addition of neoclassical elements.

As a result of these changes, the site is currently undergoing a restoration process that aims to return the church to its original 20th-century architectural features. All structures added to the temple in recent years will be demolished.

16. Church of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo

Founded: 1594

Location: Largo de Santo Antônio, Salvador

The church of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo was founded in 1594 in honour of Saint Anthony.

The Church of Santo Antônio was founded in 1594 in honour of Saint Anthony. From a small chapel, it underwent expansion and renovation, and was the scene of Dutch invasions and Portuguese resistance.

Throughout history, the temple has undergone renovations, transforming from a small chapel to the church it is today.

Its façade is rococo and its interior is decorated with neoclassical carvings. Here you can watch the sunset and enjoy the festivities that take place in the church courtyard.

Its main temple, the Church of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo, was rebuilt in 1813 on the site of a primitive temple.

The Santo Antônio Além do Carmo neighbourhood is more than a church

Santo Antônio Além do Carmo is a unique neighbourhood, part of the historic centre of Salvador, offering a bit of leisure, history, gastronomy and architecture.

A visit to a religious temple from the early years of Brazilian colonisation, located on the outskirts of Salvador’s historic centre.

It is a series of pleasurable activities, starting with the visit itself, enriched by historical and cultural knowledge about the houses and cobbled streets of the Santo Antônio neighbourhood, and ending with one of the most beautiful views of the sunset over the bay of Todos os Santos and a beer, coffee, acarajé or pastry in one of the countless bars and cafés in the area.

All this makes the Church of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo a delightful walk for anyone visiting the historic centre of Salvador, whether tourist or local.

Centuries of Brazilian history, different architectural styles, typical Bahian culture and the beautiful, sweeping view of the Bay of All Saints are all brought together in a single itinerary.

It is said that the church of Santo Antônio was founded in 1594 in honour of Saint Anthony. From a small chapel, it underwent several expansions and renovations, having been the scene of both Dutch invasions and Portuguese resistance.

It is said that Father Antônio Vieira, in order to prevent the Dutch troops from conquering Salvador, used the pulpit of the church to preach his sermon “À beira das trincheiras” (At the edge of the trenches), which defended the city against Nassau’s troops for 40 days.

Beyond the Gates – During the colonial period, the urban limits of Salvador ended where the lower part of Largo do Pelourinho is today, between the entrance to Baixa dos Sapateiros, Ladeira do Taboão (which leads to Cidade Baixa) and the climb to Convento do Carmo.

The term “Além do Carmo” (Beyond Carmo) refers to its geographical location, as the church was located beyond one of the entrance gates to the city of Salvador – the Portas do Convento do Carmo.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, Santo Antônio was an aristocratic neighbourhood, which is reflected in the elaborate façades of the two houses and the asymmetry of its streets. And yet.

In addition to the group of churches and the Carmo Monastery, there is the Boqueirão Church and, at the end, next to the old Barbalho Fort (now Capoeira Fort), the Church of Santo Antônio.

It is likely that the original chapel was enlarged in the early 17th century, as records show that during the Dutch invasion of 1624, a ‘church’ on the site was occupied by the invaders, and worship was only restored there after the battle that took place the following year, which liberated the city.

It became a parish church in 1648 and continued to be renovated until the 20th century! The interior is plastered, with neoclassical carvings and a typical rococo façade.

It is also interesting to note that the church’s courtyard is used for the rehearsals of the carnival group “De Hoje a Oito”, “Bailinho” parties and concerts by the Skanibais, among others.

Next door, in the square of the same name, is the traditional Festa de Santo Antônio, which begins with the Trezena, from 1 to 13 June, with typical June food and drink stalls, officially opening the June festivities.

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

This post is also on: Português English Deutsch Español Français