The historic center of Salvador de Bahia, known as Pelourinho, stands as a vibrant testament to the cultural fusion that defines Brazil. Founded in 1549 by Tomé de Sousa as the country’s first capital, Salvador became a melting pot of European, African, and Indigenous influences.

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The district is famed for its Portuguese colonial baroque architecture, with cobbled streets and vividly colored houses that embody the city’s cultural richness.

Among its most iconic landmarks are the Church of São Francisco, renowned for its gold-leaf interior, and the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador, noted for its imposing facade and historical significance.

In 1985, UNESCO designated Salvador’s historic center as a World Heritage Site, recognizing it as an outstanding example of colonial city planning in the New World.

This designation spurred restoration and preservation initiatives, including those led by architect Lina Bo Bardi, who sought to revitalize the area without displacing its original residents.

Today, Pelourinho serves as a cultural and tourist hub filled with museums, art centers, and venues dedicated to Afro-Brazilian music and dance.

Events like the Bahia Carnival—one of the world’s largest—transform its streets into a spectacle of rhythm, color, and tradition, reinforcing Salvador’s role as a beacon of cultural diversity.

More than a preserved colonial landscape, the historic center of Salvador de Bahia celebrates the resilience and vitality of a culture that continues to reinvent itself while honoring its complex past.

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