Forceful photography in Salvador

Fundaçao Pierre Verger
The French historian and photographer Pierre Verger (1902 – 1996), captured with his powerful imagery, the day to day life of African culture within the city. The voodoo rights of Umbanda, the vagrancy, the fishermen and the Capoeira dancers are all there, within a back drop of the Salvador scenery and architecture. His black and white photographs form part of a collection exhibited in a house situated in the historic centre of Salvador. The themes of the exhibitions change every four months, and there you will find books of photographs, shirts and bags stamped with photos of Pierre Verger.

Sorvetaria Cubana (Cuban Ice-cream)
The city’s oldest ice cream parlour was founded in 1930 by a Cuban exile who settled in Brazil. There are thirty different flavours, including Cupuaçu (a plant related to the Cacao), Coconut and Tapioca. All may be accompanied by the prata da casa, which is a type of cake over which crushed nuts are sprinkled. The view from the ice cream parlour is probably the best in Salvador as it is situated within the Lacerda Elevator!

Feira de Joaquim.  Don’t miss Salvador’s Market!
In this, the largest permanent open market in Bahia, with its 4000 stalls and boxes, you will find ceramics, basket making, spices and fruits, hand made tin and wooden toys plus everything that one would need for a Candomble ceremony (African pagan religious ceremony).

Candomblé. Do visit, learn and even consult!
In over 1000 venues, the practitioners of Candomble (African pagan worship) keep alive the Orixá cults and devotion, a tradition brought to Brazil by the slaves in the 18th century. The followers of Gantois or Axe Yamassee, founded by Maria da Conceição Nazaré in 1849  worship in one of the most famous and frequented Candomble Gegenago houses in Salvador. The origin of the name derives from the Belgian owner of the land where the religious temple was built, who was, ironically, a slave trader.

Look at the magnificent trees!
Salvador has a rich flora, much more than just the Palm trees and Coconut Palms of Itapuá, mentioned in the songs of Caetano Veloso. There are hundreds of Mango trees, Flamboyans (Royal Poinciana), Jacarandás, Fig trees and fruit bearing “Chapeu-de-Sol” (sun-hat) whose robust trunks support huge, leafy canopies that shade the streets, and whose flowers colour and perfume the surroundings. They create true refreshing green oases for the visitors who stroll along the steep side streets and twisting roads of the city.