Gabinete Portugues de Leitura (Portuguese Cabinet of Literature), Salvador

On the outside, it’s a classic example of Portuguese architecture, brimming with delicate details. On the inside, it's grand and packed with history. The façade is adorned with shields and coats of arms, perfectly complementing the architectural style and shouting out Portuguese patriotism. On March 2, 1863, the visionary brothers Manoel Joaquim Rodrigues and Francisco José Rodrigues Pedreira decided to bring a slice of literary paradise to the city, founding the “Portuguese Reading Room.”

The Bahian version of the Reading Room was created to acquire “works of notable value, written in Portuguese and French, and others deemed necessary later, along with the major newspapers from Portugal and Brazil”. The founders were determined to keep the bond between the Kingdom and the Luso-Bahian community alive by establishing a Portuguese cultural hub in Bahia through the Library.

This hidden gem of Portuguese culture deserves more attention from both tourists and locals alike. To pay a visit, simply head to Liberty Square (“Praça da Liberdade”), ring the bell at the main door, and you’ll step into this philanthropic treasure, sustained by the generosity of its visitors through the donation box nearby. Once linked to the Portuguese embassy, it even hosted several Portuguese presidents during the '90s and 2000s. It’s an artistic goldmine and definitely worth the detour.