Last year I briefly heard about the city of Salvador in Brazil’s North East region, in the state of Bahia. Recently, it popped up again in my Instagram feed. Because of that, I decided it was a good choice for today’s Sunday Special: to learn more of this cultural, musical, and foodie city that is steeped in history.
Salvador is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, colonial cities in the Americas. It was the first Brazilian capital, established by the Portuguese in 1569. Over the years, the city grew as a major port town in the trade of sugarcase and, unfortunately, the slave-trade. It is estimated that one million African people were sold through Salvador. Administrative changes in Brazil occured in 1763, when Rio de Janerio was named capital. Despite losing the title of capital city, Salvador remained a busy commercial port. The city began to industrialize in the 1800s and saw the construction of country’s first elevator. Built on an escarpment, the city has two levels, so the urban elevator was built between 1869 through 1873, and it is still in use today. In that time, the city grew and became a popular port for streamships trading between Europe and South America. Today, it is seen as a thriving and upbeat city. It has retained a historic centre and celebrates its Afro-Brazilian culture and hertiage in various ways. In 1985 the historic Pelourinho neighbourhood became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a centre of tourism.
Along with the history of the city, there are numerous ways to enjoy yourself. A number of beaches will have you relaxing while soaking up the warm rays. The region offers a variety of beaches, ranging from warm sandy coasts to pebbly shores, and even beaches with tidal pools. Finding your groove and moving to the music can be found all around you. As a recognized Music City, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Salvador incorporates music into the soul of the city. This is fully experienced during its annual, week long Bahian Carnival, which may even rival Rio’s Carnival. The rich culture is also found in many of the local Afro-Brazilian foods. Acarajé is a well-loved street food consisting of a deep-fried ball of black-eyed peas filled with spicy pastes, and is found everywhere in the city. Another traditional dish is a seafood stew that dates back centuries, called moqueca, and there are a few varieties to try. Food tours and culinary classes are plentiful and will leave you fully sated during a visit. From the sound (and taste) of it, you can experience so much in this Bahian capital city.
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