Salvador is often called the pearl of Brazil. It is the richest city in the country in terms of monuments, and its Old Town, Pelourinho, is inscribed on the UNESCO list. It is also the most important center of African culture in Brazil, which impresses with its diverse traditions that are a mixture of local, European and African influences.
In the bay where Salvador lies, the ship Amerigo Vespuci landed in 1501. The city was founded nearly half a century later and was inhabited by the Portuguese. It soon became one of the main centers of the slave trade brought here from West Africa. Their descendants live in Salvador and its vicinity to this day, cultivating the customs and traditions of their ancestors. African influences are visible in the language, cuisine, customs and beliefs, in which Christian threads are mixed with ethnic beliefs.
The city is situated on the shore of the bay and on the slopes of the hills that descend to it. The oldest part, Pelourinho, the site of slave markets in the past, is located on a hill over 70 meters above the beaches and the port. It is here that the most important monuments of the city are located, such as the Basilica in Salvador, the House of Rio Vermelho, colonial buildings. Visiting Salvador's Old Town is a fascinating journey into the world of colonial mansions, baroque churches, traditional restaurants, and handicraft shops. There are plenty of bars in the narrow streets and musicians playing traditional instruments and drums in the streets.
The upper and lower town are connected by a cable car, numerous steep streets and the Lacerda Elevator. The building standing over the port is one of Salvador's most important attractions. The lower part of the city is characterized by more modern buildings. There are also lighthouses, the Barra with the Sano Antonio da Barra fort, and the Itapua lighthouse. There are sandy beaches along the bay, such as Porto da Barra Beach, Boa Viagem Beach, Farol da Barra Beach, Paciencia Beach, Ondina Beach and Vermelho Beach.
The big attraction of Salvador is the zoo and botanical garden visited by crowds of residents and tourists. The Bahia Carnival Museum is also very popular, and the carnival parades in Salvador are among the largest in Brazil.
