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Salvador Da Bahia
Founded in 1549 Salvador de Bahia became a main city in Brazil, as the capital city of the Bahia state it is also the most important city in the Portuguese Empire after Lisbon. Salvador prospered in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was the country's major port and a significant portion of the sugar from the northeast and gold and diamonds from the mines in the southeast passed through the city. Today the wealth of impressive colonial architecture is evidence of the city's rich history. Between the modern tower blocks, well-restored enclaves of the old city remain with cobblestone streets, colourful mansions and dozens of ornate Baroque churches.
Salvador de Bahia is a wonderfully decadent city with a labyrinth of narrow winding streets of busy markets, the best one being the Mercado Modelo arts and crafts market. Most churches are open to the public and many have been turned into museums. One of the city's more unusual experiences is to ride the Elevador Lacerda, an Art Deco structure housing old electric elevators that carry passengers between the port and the old historic part of the town, on the hill.
Salvador's spectacular beaches offer only one difficulty to visitors, which one to choose from such a vast range? From calm coves (ideal for swimming, sailing and underwater fishing, such as Porto da Barra beach) to wild beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean, such as Aleluia beach, which attracts surfers. Some beaches are surrounded by coral reefs, forming natural swimming pools that are ideal for children. The beaches are the location for many of Salvador's great festivals, including the New Year festivity that includes performances and an impressive fireworks display.
Historically Salvador was once home to over four hundred African slaves brought here to work in the sugarcane plantations and culturally the region remains the most Africanised state in Brazil and has theMuseu Afro-Brasileira, which is dedicated to Black culture. The fusion of African and Latin cultures had given Salvador a unique brand of magic that is particularly evident at city's many festivals, most notably the massive "Carnaval" in mid-November which attracts two million revellers from all over the world and is said to rival the famous Rio Carnaval.
