Salvador at National Geographic

Blog
Banner - Salvador at National Geographic

5 reasons to visit the city

Salvador da Bahia was included in the National Geographic list of the best destinations to know in 2019! Among several incredible places there are French Polynesia; Vevey in Switzerland; Bisti/De-Na-Zin Desert in New Mexico and Fanjingshan in China. The article praises Salvador city as “Brazil’s heart and musical soul” and talks about the musical genres that were born here.

The Bahian culture is strong in all aspects and stands out in the culinary, the architecture and the artistic expressions. We have chosen here some of the 5 reasons that led the Bahian capital to enter this select group.

1. Sun and Sea

Bay of Wonders

Praia de Viração na Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Ilha dos Frades. Foto: Fábio Marconi

The boat trips around the Bay of All Saints are already a classic for those who know what is good in life! From the cheapest, to the group tours, to the VIPs in luxury boats, all are unanimous: the coastline and the islands are something stunning. What was already a beautiful ride in the Bay of All Saints, now became a must see! Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe beach on Ilha dos Frades (Friars Island) was approved by an international jury to receive the Blue Flag. The program, created in France in 1980 and considered the most important of the category worldwide, is attributed to beaches and marinas that fulfill a set of 34 socio-environmental quality requirements.Improvements were made in accessibility, there were bathrooms upgrading, beach stands adaptation, the implementation of environmental education signs, among other measures, always involving the community.

2. Gastronomy

Acarajé

Acarajé da Dinha no Rio Vermelho. Salvador, Bahia Foto: Amanda Oliveira.

Fried bean dumpling prepared in an artisanal way, in which the beans are ground, seasoned and later fried in the boiling palm oil. Then comes the art and energy of the Baiana, filled with a dose of joy and ancestrality and makes it become the beloved and famous acarajé. As a filling, the acarajé can have pepper, vatapá, caruru, dried shrimp and salad. Besides being food and sustenance for several families, it has an important symbolic character. It’s original from the Bight of Benin in West Africa (where it’s called acará), and was brought to Brazil with the arrival of enslaved people from that region. Wherever you go, there they are. It is normal that a Baiana de Acarajé is the first person a visitor has contact with when arriving in Salvador. They are the ones that present the city, the customs and the flavors of Salvador. Baianas de Acarajé are Bahia’s historical and affective memory. * (Baiana de Acarajé – Bahian ladies who sell acarajés)

3. History and Culture

Artistic manifestation of Bahia traditions

Espetáculo Balé Folclórico da Bahia Pelourinho Salvador Bahia. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.

The Bahia Folkloric Ballet performances are passionate and energetic spectacles. A scenic language that captures, in its purest state, Bahia’s folkloric manifestations, its stories, habits, colors and influences – and has already given the company prizes and tours throughout Brazil and the world. The largest and most important Brazil’s folkloric dance professional company was created by Walson Botelho, better known by Vavá, and Ninho Reis. Today, it involves a team of more than 40 people, including dancers, musicians, technicians, producers, administrators. They dedicate themselves, in full time, to the further development of dance, theater and music techniques, under the artistic direction of José Carlos Santos, the Zebrinha. The Folkloric Ballet delights us with its presentations every day, except Sundays, at the Miguel Santana Theater in Pelourinho. Unmissable.

4. Music City

Carnival House

Casa do Carnaval – coleções. Foto: Fábio Marconi

Those who visit the Historic Center of Salvador must get to know the Carnival House, a museum created to tell the story of the Bahian revelry. The first Carnival museum has four floors: the ground floor, the first floor, the basement and the terrace with an inspiring view of the Bay of All Saints. With much care and using technology and interactivity, the Carnival House tells the story of the revelry in a visual and sensorial trip, with several thematic fragments of the party that is in the popular culture essence, social transformations and development of Bahian identity. The Carnival House is in the Historic Center, next to the Basilica Cathedral of San Salvador, between Terreiro de Jesus and Praça da Sé.

5. Devotion and religious syncretism

Popular Festivals

Lavagem do Bonfim. Foto: Fábio Marconi.

Our Lord of Bonfim Church is one of the places for which Bahian people have the most affection and where the city inhabitants often return. It is one of the most traditional Catholic churches in the city, dedicated to Lord of Bonfim, patron saint of Bahia and symbol of the religious syncretism of Bahia. The most important religious and “profane” festival in Bahia, the “Lavagem do Bonfim”, takes place every year on the second Thursday of January. The party begins with a beautiful procession of baianas (from Candomblé) that walk from Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia Church to Alto do Bonfim. To the sound of African chants and songs, they pour perfumed lavender water on the steps and the churchyard, while the Church doors remain closed. It’s impossible not to be influenced by this devotional atmosphere.

These are some of the reasons why Brazilian and foreign travelers have fallen in love with Salvador and decided to stay here. The series “Entre Tantas Salvador” comes to tell stories of those who have built roots and totally mixed up.

We’ve prepared a perfect playlist for this experience. Listen now!