Santo Amaro Attractions

Santo Amaro (pop. 70,000) is a sugar-cane-growing center in the northern Recìncavo, 81km/50mi from Salvador and 62km/39mi (on BR 324) from Feira de Santana (see entry). It has preserved a number of handsome 17th and 18th century buildings, including the church of Nossa Senhora dos Humildes (Museum of Religious Art) and the town's principal church Nossa Senhora da Purificação. Nearby are the 18th century churches of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira dos Campinhos and São Domingos de Saubara. Popular festivals such as the Bembà do Mercado are lively occasions, with afoxés, maculelàs (a dance/play peculiar to Santo Amaro), capoeira dances and rituals in praise of orixás (Afro-Brazilian divinities). During the Festa de Nossa Senhora da Purificação (January/February) the church is washed.