Salvador - Upper Town Cidade Alta
Upper Town (Cidade Alta)
The upper and lower towns are linked by steep streets and a number of lifts, including the Plano Inclinado de Gonçalves (a funicular) and the Elevador Lacerda (a passenger lift). The Plano Inclinado (Inclined Plane) runs from Rua Francisco Gonçalves in the lower town to Praça Ramos de Queiroz. The Elevador Lacerda (1930), one of the landmarks of Salvador (and a favorite haunt of pickpockets), links Praça Cairu in the harbor area with Praça Tomé de Souza in the historic old town (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1987), from which there is a superb view of the lower town, the harbor and Itaparica.
The upper and lower towns are linked by steep streets and a number of lifts, including the Plano Inclinado de Gonçalves (a funicular) and the Elevador Lacerda (a passenger lift). The Plano Inclinado (Inclined Plane) runs from Rua Francisco Gonçalves in the lower town to Praça Ramos de Queiroz. The Elevador Lacerda (1930), one of the landmarks of Salvador (and a favorite haunt of pickpockets), links Praça Cairu in the harbor area with Praça Tomé de Souza in the historic old town (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1987), from which there is a superb view of the lower town, the harbor and Itaparica.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
Carmelite Church
To the north of the Pelourinho quarter, on Largo do Carmo, are a Carmelite church and convent, built in 1580, burned down in 1788 and rebuilt forty years later. The sacristy now contains a museum, a notable item in which is a sculpture of Christ in Chains by Francisco Manuel das Chagas, known as O Cabra, a slave who became a notable sculptor (18th century).
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Ordem Terceira do Carmo
The church of the Third Order (Ordem Terceira; 1636) has a fine Baroque altar. It contains a museum, with a notable life-size figure in cedar wood, set with rubies, of the Dead Christ by Francisco Chagas (1710).
Palácio Rio Branco
On Praça Tomé de Souza are a number of 17th century buildings including Palácio Rio Branco (formerly Casa dos Governadores), which now houses Bahiatursa, the State Tourist Office, and a monument commemorating republican Governors.
Paço Municipal
On Praça Tomé de Souza are a number of 17th century buildings, including Paço Municipal, a handsome whitewashed building now occupied by the Prefecture.
Santa Casa da Misericórdia
The church of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, in Rua da Misericórdia, near Praça Tomé de Souza and Praça da Sé, is decorated with 18th century
Portuguese tile pictures. In the church is a museum of church treasures and sacred art. On Praça da Sé is the 18th century Archbishop's Palace (Palácio Arquiepiscopal), which was connected with the old Cathedral by a passage.
Portuguese tile pictures. In the church is a museum of church treasures and sacred art. On Praça da Sé is the 18th century Archbishop's Palace (Palácio Arquiepiscopal), which was connected with the old Cathedral by a passage.
Afro-Brazilian Museum
Afro-Brazilian Museum
The Afro-Brazilian Museum is housed in the old Faculty of Medicine on the Terreiro de Jesus, which also contains the Memorial de Medicina. On the ground floor of the Afro-Brazilian Museum are four sections devoted to negro cultures (e.g. the capoeira, the martial dance developed by the black slaves).
The Afro-Brazilian Museum is housed in the old Faculty of Medicine on the Terreiro de Jesus, which also contains the Memorial de Medicina. On the ground floor of the Afro-Brazilian Museum are four sections devoted to negro cultures (e.g. the capoeira, the martial dance developed by the black slaves).
Casa de Rui Barbosa
Casa de Rui
Barbosa
South-west of the Franciscan churches along Rua de São Francisco is the Casa de Rui Barbosa, now a museum. The house is in Rua Rui Barbosa, which runs into the large Praça Castro Alves. In the square is a monument to the Bahian writer and politician, a great champion of Brazilian independence. During the Carnival the square, which looks out on to the bay, is alive with swarms of people, trios eléctricos (trucks carrying music groups), carnival clubs and afoxés.
Barbosa
South-west of the Franciscan churches along Rua de São Francisco is the Casa de Rui Barbosa, now a museum. The house is in Rua Rui Barbosa, which runs into the large Praça Castro Alves. In the square is a monument to the Bahian writer and politician, a great champion of Brazilian independence. During the Carnival the square, which looks out on to the bay, is alive with swarms of people, trios eléctricos (trucks carrying music groups), carnival clubs and afoxés.
Forte Monte Serrat
To the north of the old town, on the Monte Serrat peninsula, is the 16th century Forte Monte Serrat (not open to the public). Beside it are the azulejo-decorated churches of Nossa Senhora do Monte Serrat (1592) and Boa Viagem (1646).
Museum of Archeology and Ethnography
The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography is housed in the old Faculty of Medicine on the Terreiro de Jesus, which also contains the Memorial de Medicina.
Parque Metropolitano do Pituaçu
Parque Metropolitano do Pituaçu
On Avenida Governador Luís Viana Filho, which links the Pituba and Pituaçu districts, are an artificial lake and the Municipal Park, with sports facilities, a lake and a nature reserve.
On Avenida Governador Luís Viana Filho, which links the Pituba and Pituaçu districts, are an artificial lake and the Municipal Park, with sports facilities, a lake and a nature reserve.
Teatro e Centro Folclórico
Rua Chile runs from Praça Castro Alves to Praça Tomé de Souza, near which are the Solar do Berquó, a mansion of the colonial period, and the Teatro e Centro Folclórico (Folk Center and Theatre).
