Salvador

　　Introduction     Salvador was Brazil’s first capital. The first time the Portuguese set foot in Brazil was in Bahia, near what is now Salvador. Later, the Portuguese built a city in Salvador, marking the beginning of Brazil’s colonial history. Salvador retains a strong Bahian culture, featuring Portuguese Catholic churches and architectural art, as well as African and indigenous influences left by West African slaves.

　　    Most of the ancient buildings in Salvador were constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Portuguese Catholic churches, in particular, are marvels of architectural ingenuity. There are as many as seventy churches in Salvador, mainly designed in Gothic and Baroque styles. Notable ones include the Gothic Church of Saint Francis, the Church of Our Lady, and the Carmelite Church.

　　    Salvador boasts some of Brazil’s most stunning and beautiful beaches—more tranquil and picturesque than those in Rio de Janeiro. Visitors can swim in the sea, enjoy the waters of the Atlantic, stroll under coconut palms, and even watch sea turtles lay their eggs, immersing themselves in the captivating coastal area of Bahian Salvador.

　　 Brazil Brasília