Pelourinho Overview

Pelourinho can be safely experienced in 2 days and 2 nights. There you can find 22 museums,
13 churches, 7 squares, dozens of restaurants and live shows.

Est.Total Time (T): 8h Est.Total Cost (C): R$100 Best on: Sunny Weekday

Pelourinho

Pelourinho and the historic center where the residential district to the upper class of Salvador up until 1855, when a cholera epídemic forced everyone to other neighbourhoods. Soon the property owners started renting it very cheap to anyone, mostly hookers, drug addicts, crooks and anyone else who didn’t mind the little hell it had become. This lasted till 1974, when a governmental project started investing in the Historic center to recoup the area as a touristic attraction. It took 20 years before it was tourist friendly, and that made a world of a difference in establishing Salvador as Brazil’s second destination.

Day 1

1 Catedral basilica

This matre-cathedral was the first established by the Jesuits initially built between 1657 and 1672, but took over a hundred years to complete. Because of the slow rate at which it was decorated, it ended up having 5 different design styles: barroque, manerism, rococco, neo-classical and renaissance roman.

2 Igreja de São Francisco

This is the city’s main church attraction: a baroque/rococco church covered with 900kg (1900 Lbs) of gold. Why? During the 18th century, while the economy was fervently prospering from the land, the rich families wanted to show off a little, becaming the church for the upper class.

3 Rosario dos Pretos Church

A church built by the slaves, for the slaves. Although simple in decorations, its masses have better song, dance and rhythm than most. Be sure to check out their eclectic mass on Tuesdays at 6pm.

Coffee

In between museums, a nice and relaxing stop for coffee in the many cafes. The hippest of them is BahiaCafe.com, also an internet cafe. Also try their cocoa fruit juice (not chocolate).

BahiaCafe.com

Praca da Sé

4 Lacerda Elevator

Today you’ll ride and elavator! Whoop-teedoo! No, really. It is a century old elevator that connect the lower city (business distric and docks) with the historic center. Not much to see, but better than walking up hill.

5 Mercado Modelo

An old slave trading market that became a flew market after slavery was abolished. Now it’s main attraction are the various stands selling all kinds of hand made souvenirers. Capoeira dancers can be watched in the back as they perform. Do donate something if you take photos.

Mercado Modelo

Day 2

Museu da Arte Sacra (Abelardo Rodrigues)

Although 5 minutes from the historic center, this sacred art museum is a must to everyone one interested in Salvador’s culture.

Museu Afro-Brazileiro

This Afro-Brazilian Museum has the largest collection of slave culture, both from Africa and of their own development in Brazil.

Museu da Cidade

The city museum that in one place shows a bit of everything Salvador is known for: food, music, history, slavery, colonization etc. If you can only see one museum, see this one.

Street Drums

Just about everynight there are various drum trouppes performing their rhythm through the Pelourinho. Free.

Mestre Bimba Capoeira

Want to see a real capoeira class? Check out Master Bimba’s students sing and dance at 7pm every Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Olodum Show

Brazil’s most famous drum trouppe performs every Tuesday from 9pm to 12am. R$40 tix.

Olodum Show

Personal Tour Guides
Contact Coconut Bahia for last inute tour guides
Coconut Bahia
Rua Gregório de Matos,06 Pelourinho
/322-1287
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