Salvador

Overview

Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos, as it was formally called by the Portuguese is the old colonial capital of Brazil. The colonial legacy and strong African influences give the city a distinct atmosphere.

Salvador is divided into an upper and lower section (cidade baixa) and the enormous Lacerda elevator which goes from one level to the other gives you great views over the city.

Pelourinho, the old colonial part of the city, with its cobbelstone streets, its many churches and beautiful mansions make the city a very good place to visit.

History

Founded in 1549, Salvador is Brazil's oldest city and was the capital in the heyday of the slave trade. The legacy remains today in its large black population, and the resulting culture in many ways outshines the rest of Brazil -- in music, many of the greatest names from the mid-20th century to the present hail from here, such as Dorival Caymmi, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso. In literature, the late Jorge Amado was also from the region. It's a vibrant, exciting city, and its people are quite friendly.