Rio de Janeiro was recently in the news because of its stunning victory in the contest to host the 2016 Olympics. Rio’s beaches are a popular draw for tourists, as are iconic sights like the statue of Jesus that sits on a hill overlooking the city. Sao Paulo, meanwhile, is known for its commerce and its cosmopolitan flare. But Brazil’s other large city, Salvador, located on the country’s Northeast Coast, has enjoyed little of the tourist appeal that has made Brazil’s southern cities so popular.
It is officially known as Salvador da Bahia. Because of its long history, many people consider it the birthplace of Brazilian culture. It was founded in the late 1500’s and was a center for South America’s slave trade. It has a well-maintained Old Town that was recently declared a World Heritage Site by the UN.
But Salvador is very much a modern city. It has a vibrant music scene and is known for its boisterous Carnival, which locals consider the most authentic version of the festival (especially when compared to the more publicized Rio Carnival). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Salvador hosts the largest Carnival in the world in terms of number of revelers.
History is everywhere in Salvador. Museu Afro-Brasileiro, the Afro-Brazilian Museum, puts the city’s neighborhoods and old buildings in context by explaining how the city was developed and how it grew from a slave trading post into a major economic center. Largo do Pelourinho is one of the oldest places in the city and a popular sightseeing stop. It is a small plaza that played a dubious part in the city’s early economy.
Salvador is known as a dangerous city, even by Brazil’s standards. However, the nightlife is worthwhile, provided you organize transportation in advance and avoid wandering around the streets. Clubs like Lotus are a haven for scene makers while venues like Rock in Rio Café provide a taste of the city’s diverse live music scene.
More information about Salvador da Bahia can be found on the JustBrazil travel web site.
