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         SalvadorAfro-brazilian capital of culture, land of carnival, birthplace of all rhythms. These are just a few of the titles attributed to the beautiful city of Salvador due to its past, to its present and to the timeless arts which add charm to its natural magic. Sitting on a peninsula in the tropical warmth, the capital of Bahia is today the third largest city in the country with its permenant population of 2.3 million carnival goers. The constant sunshine is the source of energy for the most festive people in Brazil, who emanate their unique afro-brazilian culture through their rhythms, street festivals, capoeira and cooking. At the entrance to the Baía de Todos os Santos, Salvador was built on two levels:
The whole of Salvador was never going to fit into just one town. Steep hills, cable cars and the Lacerda elevator which dates from 1873 link the two "floors". 50km of beaches also unify the city. Start on the sands of Flamengo, take in Stella Maris and spend an afternoon in Itapoã. From there to Barra you will pass along Jaguaribe, Jardim de Alah, Rio Vermelho and Ondina, just a few of the city's notable beaches. Salvador. In the low city their names are Cantagalo, Roma, Boa Viagem and Ribeira. Itacaranha, São Tomé de Paripe and Inema, in the suburbs of Salvador, close this enchanted circle. The finest examples of barroque architecture in Latin America transport us to the time when Salvador was the colonial capital of Brasil. In the historic centre alone there are almost 500 of these buildings, including churches (some say 365 of them, one for each day, one for each of the saints), palaces, forts and monuments which bear witness to those memorable times. The Pelô, as it is affectionately known, is home to an impressive centre of culture and leisure. Art galleries, theatres, museums and bars turn a walk through its streets and alleys into a continual tasting of a culture seasoned with palm oil. In fact the cuisine is another strong sign of the African contribution to this culture, from the tradional acarajé and abará to the muquecas and efós. This is the menu which provides you with enough energy to keep up with the festive rhythm of Bahia, especially during the carnival, the biggest street festival in Brazil. In Salvador the 'trios', huge sound systems mounted on trucks, lead the way for fully seven days as the afro drumming groups, afoxés, axé bands and stars of Brazilian pop parade along the avenues filling them with carnival fun at full volume. This singular event is truly the pride of the city. Salve, Salvador!     
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Lonely Planetrecommendedsince 2007
