Casa do Rio Vermelho (Red River House), Salvador
The final residence of authors Jorge Amado and Zélia Gattai, the Red River House is a vibrant memorial that showcases the remarkable lives and literary contributions of the couple who brought Bahian literature to international acclaim. Purchased in 1960, the house quickly became a hub for artists, intellectuals, and political figures. Over the years, luminaries such as Glauber Rocha, Pablo Neruda, Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir were frequent guests.
In this home, Jorge Amado wrote some of his most beloved novels, including “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands”. Meanwhile, Zélia Gattai authored “The House of Rio Vermelho,” recounting their life and experiences within these walls.
The building retains its original layout and design, with each room dedicated to a different aspect of the couple’s life and career. Visitors can access over 30 hours of audiovisual content that explores their story. This unique memorial has become a prominent cultural destination, fulfilling Jorge Amado’s vision of a lively and active cultural center.
Covering around 2,000 square meters, the property includes a garden where the ashes of both authors are laid to rest. The couple lived here for four decades, during which they amassed a notable art collection that still adorns the house today.
The collection also features personal belongings, a library, and a variety of historical documents, including correspondence with renowned national and international figures. Visitors can even step into the “Reading Room,” where videos of celebrated figures reading Amado’s works are displayed on a cinema screen.
To make the experience more interactive and educational, the house is divided into distinct sections, with knowledgeable guides available to provide insight into the couple’s lives and literary legacy.
In this home, Jorge Amado wrote some of his most beloved novels, including “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands”. Meanwhile, Zélia Gattai authored “The House of Rio Vermelho,” recounting their life and experiences within these walls.
The building retains its original layout and design, with each room dedicated to a different aspect of the couple’s life and career. Visitors can access over 30 hours of audiovisual content that explores their story. This unique memorial has become a prominent cultural destination, fulfilling Jorge Amado’s vision of a lively and active cultural center.
Covering around 2,000 square meters, the property includes a garden where the ashes of both authors are laid to rest. The couple lived here for four decades, during which they amassed a notable art collection that still adorns the house today.
The collection also features personal belongings, a library, and a variety of historical documents, including correspondence with renowned national and international figures. Visitors can even step into the “Reading Room,” where videos of celebrated figures reading Amado’s works are displayed on a cinema screen.
To make the experience more interactive and educational, the house is divided into distinct sections, with knowledgeable guides available to provide insight into the couple’s lives and literary legacy.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salvador. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Casa do Rio Vermelho (Red River House) on Map
Sight Name: Casa do Rio Vermelho (Red River House)
Sight Location: Salvador, Brazil (See walking tours in Salvador)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Salvador, Brazil (See walking tours in Salvador)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Salvador, Brazil
Create Your Own Walk in Salvador
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salvador is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salvador's Historical Churches Tour
In Salvador, Brazil, there are quite a few churches emblematic of its cultural and religious heritage. The city's historic district contains so many old Catholic temples that some even joke that you can have a different church to visit there every day of the year. However, if you don't have a whole year to spend in Salvador but still want to make the most of your time in terms of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Salvador Introduction Walking Tour
Salvador is a coastal city in Brazil. Founded in 1548, it is the country's former capital and serves as the current capital of the state of Bahia. It is one of the oldest planned cities in the Americas.
Due to its location, early Europeans turned Salvador into an important trade route for slavery. Of the nearly 5 million enslaved people who were imported to Brazil, about 1.3 million were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Due to its location, early Europeans turned Salvador into an important trade route for slavery. Of the nearly 5 million enslaved people who were imported to Brazil, about 1.3 million were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles




