Salvador - History

Founded 446 years ago, Salvador became the first capital of Brazil, keeping this position for 214 years.(1549-1763).

The "All Saints bay" (Baia de Todos os Santos) was already known by the Portuguese navigators since 1500; its strategic location in the Brazilian coast, favourable to the route: Portugal-Brazil-Αfrica-Αsia and the equidistance between the North and South of Brazil, combined with the proper conditions for a safe harbour and correct manoeuvres of the ships determined its choice as the ideal place for the capital of BRAZIL.

Portugal followed its national tradition of "upper" and "lower" cities. The city is marked by rigorous topographical limits, which even today impress the visitors.
After the Second World War, with the building of the Oceanica Avenue, the city started to grow in the direction of the northern coast, making new boroughs appear. In the 60's, valley avenues were opened, making the traffic easier and offering new access to the northern coast. The city keeps growing in the northern direction, due to the geographic limits and the enchant caused in the people by the sea.

The Salvador's colonial architectural group has, without doubt, great importance and has also the Title of "World Cultural Heritage", given by ONU. Here we find, several times together, the ancient and the modern, baroque and classic, religious and profane, in a mix of styles and shapes that aren't always harmonious, what is typical of European cities, but doubtless beautiful and unexpected. Whoever walks through the oldest boroughs will find narrow and winding streets with their houses side by side and many churches. Sometimes two or three nearby, almost excessive. Some people say that the landscape resembles the old streets of Lisboa. Here and there some fortress keeps on its walls marks of old fights. In the new boroughs, the modern Brazilian architecture makes its presence notable with daring shapes and colours. Buildings such as Centro de Convennues (Conventions Center) and Casa do Comircio (Commerce's House) are already postcards of the "new" Salvador.