Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, is certainly one of the most colorful cities in Brazil. The spirit of those times when it was the capital of the country still hovers here: the former grandeur is gone, but the atmosphere of old colonial Brazil is felt on every street.
From its founding in 1549, Salvador immediately developed into an important seaport, a center for the sugar industry and the slave trade, and became Brazil’s first Portuguese capital. The city had the status of the capital until, in 1763, all the administrative functions of the state were transferred to Rio de Janeiro.
Currently, Salvador is the third largest city in Brazil with a population of about 3.5 million and retains its position as a rich agricultural and industrial area. Salvador is the largest carnival center, colorful and large-scale processions are held here, not inferior in beauty to the parades in Rio de Janeiro, but carried out according to their own rules.
The flight from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro takes 1 hour 50 minutes. From Sao Paulo – 2 hours.
The airport is located 20 km from the city center of Salvador.
The beaches of Salvador The
beach line of Salvador has over 40 km. In total, there are about 20 equipped beaches, the most popular is Itapoa. The famous beach area of Barra with the beach do Farol. Here is the old fort of St. Anthony and a pretty lighthouse on the cape. Barra is followed by the districts of Ondina, Rio Vermelho and Amaralina. Other beaches of the city – Ribeira, Pituba, Flamengo are also quite popular.
In the vicinity of the city, the islands of Itaparica and Ilha de Mare are of interest – very beautiful corners of nature with beautiful beaches.
Popular resorts are located not far from Salvador:
Praia do Forte – 55 km (to the north)
Costa do Sauipe – 70 km (to the north, beyond Praia do Forte)
Entertainment, excursions and sights of Salvador
The main feature of Salvador is the richness of its traditions, formed under the influence of African culture. The city is famous for having the highest percentage of people of African descent in all of Brazil. Most of the population practices the religious cults Oiruba, Candomblé, Umbanda, Kimbanda, in a bizarre way combined with Catholic customs. At night, drums can be heard on the streets of Salvador: supporters of the candomblé cult, dressed in white clothes, regularly perform rituals addressed to their gods. The influence of the “Black Continent” is manifested even in the local Portuguese language, saturated with African words and intonations.
Salvador is divided into upper and lower cities. The upper city, or Cidade Alta, and especially its oldest quarter – Pelourinho, has always been considered the center of state, administrative and spiritual life. To overcome the 50 meters difference between the upper and lower cities, a special lift was built – the Elevador-Lacerda city lift. It is he who is considered the center of the city and goes to the Rio Branco Palace – the most pompous building in Salvador.
Costa Azul Park – the largest park in the city – is located in the Costa Azul area. There is a football field, cycling paths, restaurants, bars, a theater that can accommodate 600 people and a beautiful 35-meter long bridge over the Kamaruzipe River connecting the park with Magaliaes Avenue.
The Garden of Lovers is located near Costa Azul Park. There is also something to do here: bars, restaurants, sports grounds.
Salvador is the birthplace of the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. This sport is even more popular here than football. There is a capoeira school in Salvador on every street. In the Piazza Pelourinho and near the Mercado Modelo market, every day you can see the performances of capoeira masters.
The climate
in Salvador is always great weather for a beach holiday; most of the precipitation falls from April to August; the sunniest season is from October to March; even during the hottest periods, cool breezes blow from the ocean.
