SALVADOR


Salvador is an unique place, where a magical air intermingles with reality to form an unique harmony. It begins with the religious syncretism that unites all the saints and orixa. Equally fascinating is its striking setting of narrow winding streets and steep hills that divide the city in two: the Upper City and the Lower City. Connected by the famous Lacerda Elevator that carries passengers in four cabins, there is a distance of 72 meters that separates the two cities, which is also bridged by the Goncalves and Pilar trolleys which run on inclined planes, and modern avenues that contrast with the historical aspect of the old city.

Founded by Tome de Souza in March of 1549, and blessed with sunshine almost all the year round, this city maintains unaltered by the passage of the years the enchantment of its churches, townhouses, mansions, fortresses and architectural ensembles. The Pelourinho area - one of the most important vestiges of Brazil's colonial architecture - forms the heart of Salvador's Historic District, which extends from the Terreiro de Jesus to the Praca dos Quinze Misterios. The most important relics of Brazil's rich heritage are in this area, such as the Sao Francisco Church, also known as the Gold Church, and the Basilica Cathedral.

The regions perfect climate, rich folklore and fertile environment have had a nurturing effect on Bahia's people; the" baianos" are warm, strikingly handsome and deeply creative.

Their love of spontaneity, joy and beauty sets the atmosphere of their streets and the tone of their religious ceremonies and festivals. In Bahia, each and every day is a cause of celebration.

Salvador is also known as the "Land of Todos os Santos" (all Saints) , or the "Land of the Orixas" (the gods) brought from West Africa by the "Yoruba" slaves. Despite the city's pride in having a church for each day of the year, throughout the city there are hundreds of "terreiros" - Candomble houses. With its dynamically colored clothing and necklaces, rhythmic drumming, dancers in trance and singing summoning the gods and saints, Candomble, among all the expressions of Afro-Brazilian religion, is in a class by itself.

Another outstanding expression of Bahian folklore is the "Capoeira", a combat/dance, popular among young men, based on the movements and gestures of African dancing. It is practiced with the musical accompaniment of the "berimbau", a wooden "gourd" attached to a wooden bow strung with wire, and plucked with a coin. In Brazil, the slaves transformed these movements and gestures into a form of hand-to-hand combat. Today, "capoeira" is once again a dance and its blows have become solely symbolic gestures sliding harmlessly past the opponents body.

Not to be forgotten are the beaches and islands facing the city of Salvador, where one can find the calmness of kilometers and kilometers of white sand on weekdays and the gaiety and typical happiness of the locals during the weekends on famous beaches as Itapua and Piata.