Lacerda Elevator

Lacerda Elevator

Introduction

The steep streets of Salvador’s old downtown were so inclined that even horse-drawn carriages sometimes couldn’t climb the hills, making it difficult to transport goods. This forced people to use hoists and other makeshift methods starting from the 17th century. In 1873, Salvador finally got an elevator to facilitate transportation between two parts of the city.

This elevator was built under the responsibility of engineer Antônio Francisco de Lacerda. The first version consisted of two lift cabins embedded in the rock face, named the “Elevador da Conceição.” In 1932, the two cabins were renovated, and in honor of its founder, it was renamed the “Lacerda Elevator.” After the renovation, the elevator acquired the Art Deco style seen today, featuring a mix of geometric and streamlined designs.

The Lacerda Elevator transports an average of fifty-eight thousand people daily, connecting Praça Cairu in the lower city to Praça Tomé de Sousa in the upper city, spanning a height of about 72 meters. The materials used to build the elevator were imported from England, and its special lighting further highlights the value of this historic structure. The role of the Lacerda Elevator is no longer limited to connecting the upper and lower cities of Salvador. Today, it has become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, with thousands of tourists taking this thirty-second ride every day to enjoy panoramic views of Bahia’s capital from above.

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