Sugar society at a glance Where: mainly in the Northeast (Pernambuco and the Recôncavo of Bahia) and, on a smaller scale, in São Vicente. When: the classic form of the engenho (sugar mill and plantation), with large plantations and slave labor, dominated the 16th and 17th centuries. At the top: […]
Monoculture, Slave Labour and Latifundia in Colonial Brazil 1 Introduction In this chapter we will study the historical process of the introduction of the Portuguese civilisational project for the settlement and colonisation of Brazil. Colonial Brazil, in Brazilian history, is the period from 1530 to 1822. This period began when […]
Installation of the General Government in Brazil and foundation of Salvador 1. introduction In this topic we will study the establishment of the General Government. This historical event was an important milestone in Brazilian colonial history, as it led to the intensification of the settlement and colonisation of Brazil. This […]
The causes of Portuguese maritime expansion 1. introduction We are beginning our study of Brazilian colonial history. This whole process is characterised by the problematisation of the various causes that motivated the so-called Portuguese maritime and commercial expansion. This historical event is of paramount importance if we want to critically […]
Occupation of the African coast, the Atlantic islands and Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India Introduction. In this topic we will study the occupation of the African coast and the Atlantic islands, which were colonised by the Portuguese from the 15th century onwards. We will also study the voyage of […]
Pedro Álvares Cabral ‘‘s Expedition and the Conquest of Brazil 1. introduction In this chapter we begin our study of the “discovery” of Brazil. The word “discovery” is inappropriate because before the Portuguese arrived in the region we now call Brazil, it was inhabited by a wide variety of peoples. […]
Pre-colonial Brazil – The forgotten years 1. introduction In this chapter we will study the pre-colonial period, also known as the “forgotten years” of Brazil’s colonisation. The pre-colonial period in Brazil stretches from 1500, with the “discovery” of Brazil, to 1531, with the arrival of Martim Afonso de Sousa’s “civilising […]
Establishing the Portuguese colony in Brazil In this chapter you will be able to Understand the historical process that led to the establishment of the colony; Reflect on the power relations established in the process of colonisation of Brazil; Be aware of the historical consequences of colonisation in Brazil today; […]
The study of the following periods of Brazilian colonial history is of paramount importance, as it is from this period that the foundations of Brazilian history were laid. The history of colonial Brazil has been divided into the following periods: Portuguese maritime expansion and the conquest of Brazil, the stages […]
Map of South America 1601 – Descripcion de las Indias “Descripcion de las Indias de Mediodia”, Herrera y Tordesillas, Antonio de Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas was the official historian of Spain and the Indies. He compiled a history of the Spanish conquests and early explorations of the Americas, which […]
1584 World Map – Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ortelius’ famous world map – first plate in full contemporary colour “Typus Orbis Terrarum”, Ortelius, Abraham This is the first (of three) world maps included in Ortelius’ famous atlas. It is a simplified reduction of Mercator’s influential map of 1569, presented in an […]
Map of Africa 1593 – Speculum Orbis Terrae “Africae Vera Forma, et Situs”, Jode, Cornelis de This extremely rare map is an interesting combination of cartographic sources. Cornelis prepared this map for the second edition of the Speculum after his father’s death in 1591. It replaced the African map of the […]
Map of Europe from 1575 – Cosmographie Universelle de Tout le Monde Scarce woodcut version of Ortelius’ map of Europe – “Europae”, Belleforest, Francois This rare map is a woodcut version of Ortelius’ map of Europe. The map extends to Iceland and part of Greenland, with a small part of […]
Aquamarine is a blue to blue-green gemstone, widely used in jewellery and known as the birthstone for March. In this guide, you’ll learn about the symbolism and meaning of aquamarine, its characteristics (colour, hardness, lustre and treatments), where it comes from and how to look after your jewellery. Aquamarine is […]
Pindobaçu, in the north of Bahia, is known as the emerald capital. The municipality, with a population of around 19,000, lies in the Bahian hinterland and is home to part of the Serra da Carnaíba mountain range, where emerald mining began in the 1960s and which remains the town’s main […]
Catas Altas is a charming colonial town founded in 1712. Located 110 kilometres from Belo Horizonte, on the MG-129 and BR-381 highways, it borders Santa Bárbara, Mariana and Alvinópolis. Located at the foot of the Caraça mountain range, especially the peak of Catas Altas, at an altitude of 1,820 metres, […]
Pico do Itacolomi in the Pico do Itacolomi State Park (“Stone Child” in Tupi-Guarani), at 1772 metres, was the reference point for bandeirantes looking for gold in the hills of Minas Gerais at the end of the 15th century. Gold was eventually discovered in the streams that crisscrossed its surroundings, […]
Map of Jamaica of 1671 – Atlas Maritimus “Novissima et Accuratissima Insulae Jamaicae Descriptio”, Seller, John This is the first edition of a very rare English map showing the island divided into districts. In 1670, Sir Thomas Modyford commissioned a survey of the island, which was completed by John Man, […]
Founded in 1674 with the arrival of the Fernão Dias flag under the command of Borba Gato, Arraial de Sabarabuçu became Vila Real de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Sabarabuçu in 1711. The alluvial gold that flowed from the now polluted and pale Rio das Velhas gave the city a […]
Art History, also known as Art Historiography, is the historical study of the visual arts. Art History is concerned with the identification, classification, description, evaluation, interpretation and understanding of artistic works and the historical development of various forms of expression, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, drawing, engraving, photography, […]
The Rio Vermelho neighbourhood is Salvador’s main hub for bohemian life and dining, bringing together bars, restaurants, acarajé stalls, small
The history of Lençóis, in Bahia, begins with diamond mining. The origins of the town are linked to the discoveries made in 1844 in Mucugê and
Ponta de Humaitá is one of the most charming spots in Salvador, situated near Monte Serrat Fort on the Itapagipe peninsula. With a stunning view of
A practical guide to things to do in Pelourinho: Baroque churches, museums, squares, a suggested itinerary and tips for making the most of
The beaches of Salvador, Bahia, offer 50 km of coastline with something for everyone: beaches with calm waters perfect for families, reefs that form
Arembepe is a charming village on the north coast of Bahia, around 42 km from Salvador. Known for its historic Hippie Village, the Tamar Project site
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where history, Afro-Brazilian culture, music and beaches come together — the perfect setting for
Bahia Maritime Museum: what you need to know before visiting Housed within the iconic Barra Lighthouse, the Bahia Maritime Museum is one of
