Salvador Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Salvador

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 brought through Salvador. As such, the city experienced one the largest uprisings of enslaved people who eventually gained their freedom and made an indelible mark on the city.

The city is known for its Afro-Brazilian art, architecture, and cuisine. One of the places where this is apparent is in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People. This Catholic church, built by enslaved and free black people, uses African chants and holds masses in the Yoruba language.

The historical center of the city of Salvador is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture dates from the colonial period when Portugal was newly establishing a stronghold in the region. The center of the city is often referred to as the Pillory district due to the fact that the squares, like Jesus Square, had pillories installed for public punishment and torture.

The city center has undergone vast reconstruction over the course of the last 30 years. Visitors will find historical buildings with updated facades. Many of these are churches, like the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People, and Saint Francis Church and Convent of Salvador.

Visit the markets of Salvador. Try the traditional cuisine when visiting food vendors at places like Modelo Market. Then walk along Pillory Street while soaking up the culture of the city.