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Even before the founding of Salvador in 1549, the Todos os Santos Bay was one
of the strategic points for the european colonizers that arrived in Brazil. The portuguese decided to build a village on the margin of the
bay which would help them to guarantee the portuguese dominion over the new continent. From its founding until the middle of the
18th Century, Salvador remained the capital of Brazil.
The growth of the city attracted the attention of the foreigners who tried to
take it from the portuguese several times. Due to this, the administration buildings of the city, the churches and the military constructions
were in high place and protected. That is how Salvador was divided into the Cidade Alta (High City) which housed the important buildings at
70 meters above sea level, and the Cidade Baixa (Low City), which was made up the populated strip of the maritime border.
To connect the two parts of the city, the Lacerda Elevator was built in 1873.
Besides using the elevator, the people could transit between the two parts along the steep slopes and streets full of history.
With the typical architecture of the portuguese cities, Salvador was also the
first city of the country to receive a University of Medicine and went through a period of intense economical growth and urban development.
During the period of slavery, the city had one of the largest seaports to receive the slave ships of the country.
In the 19th Century, when Salvador wasn't the capital anymore, and
the South-east started to gain political and economical importance, the city fell into decedance. The center of the city began to house the
lower income population, the colonial mansions were invaded and transformed into slums. Today, the city has all its historical center
restored after having gone through a process of revitalization.
Salvador today, has around 500 historical buildings that are very well
preserved , including about 365 churches, with uncountable monuments, fortresses, mansions and the Pelourinho which today has been turned
into an important cultural region. The city has received the little of World Heritage Site by the ONU. |
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