Churches In Salvador Brazil

Catedral Basílica

Built in the seventeenth century, with gold, Lioz marble, wood and ivory, mixing baroque and rococo styles. In this church the visitor can enjoy classical concerts, such as Bahia’s Symphonic Orchestra presentations. Many consider this the city's most beautiful church. The interior has many segmented areas and the emphasis is on verticality - raise your eyes to admire the superb ceiling. The cathedral is open from 8 am to 11:30 am and 2 to 5:30 pm daily.

Igreja da Ajuda

Founded by the Jesuits who came with Tomé de Souza in the 16th century. It was demolished and rebuilt on the opposite side of the street in the 20th century. It’s one of the city’s oldest churches. Its façade was done in the neo-romantic style.

Igreja São Francisco

This baroque church, east of Praça da Sé, is crammed with displays of wealth and splendor. Gold leaf is used like wallpaper. There's an 80kg silver chandelier and imported azulejos (Portuguese ceramic tiles). Forced to build their masters' church and yet prohibited from practicing their own religion (Candomblé terreiros (venues) were hidden and kept far from town), the African slave artisans responded through their work: the faces of the cherubs are distorted, some angels are endowed with huge sex organs, some appear to be pregnant. Most of these creative acts were chastely covered in the 20th century. Traditionally, blacks were seated in the far corners of the church without a view of the altar. Notice the polychrome figure of São Pedro da Alcântara by Manoel Inácio da Costa. The artist, like his subject, was suffering from tuberculosis. He made one side of the saint's face more ashen than the other so that São Pedro appears more ill as you walk past him. José Joaquim da Rocha painted the hallway ceiling using perspective technique, which was considered a novelty at the time.

Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Domingos

Its construction was initiated in 1731 and was concluded six years later. Its front is in rococo style. The construction is typical of the churches from the beginning of the eighteenth century. The ceiling was created with an illusionist conception and the wall tiles in the main chapel show portraits of São Domingos. Open Mon to Fri, from 8 to 12 and from 2 to 5 pm.

Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco

This church is adjacent to São Francisco Church and it was constructed in 1702. The entire front of this chapel, which is unique in Brazil, is decorated with sandstone sculptures, inspired by woodcarvings or Plateresque style figurines, which remained hidden until it was accidentally discovered in the 1930s when a workman hammered off some plaster to install wiring. There are beautiful paintings on the ceiling, created by Franco Velasco, in 1831. The church has a sun clock and a museum. Open Mon to Fri, from 8 to 11:30 am and from 1 to 5 pm.

Igreja São Pedro dos Clérigos

It was constructed in the early nineteenth century but its construction has the typical style of the eighteenth century. Visitors can see the transition between the rococo and the neoclassic styles by observing the church’s interior, specially the large panel on the ceiling and the main altar. This like many others built in the 18th century, was left with one of its towers missing in order to avoid a tax on finished churches. It opens only during mass (usually from 8 to 9.30 am on Sunday), and if you visit during this time, do not disturb the service.

Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento do Passo

From Pelourinho, go down the hill and then continue uphill along Ladeira do Carmo. You will reach a set of steps on the Ieft that lead up to the church in an approach reminiscent of the Spanish Steps of Rome. The first Brazilian film to win an award at the Cannes film festival, O Pagador de Promessa, was filmed here.

Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo

This church, at the top of the hill on Ladeira do Carmo, was founded in 1636 and contains a baroque altar and an organ that dates from 1889.

Igreja e Convento de NS do Carmo & Museu do Carmo

Next door, this religious complex is moderately interesting. Among the sacred and religious articles in the museum is a famous sculpture of Christ created by Francisco Chagas (also known as O Cabra). There's also a treaty declaring the expulsion of the Dutch from Salvador on 30 April 1625. The document was signed at the convent, which served as the general's quarters at the time. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 am to noon and from 2 to 6 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to noon. For a glimpse of old Salvador, continue walking for a few blocks past dilapidated buildings that teem with life. Also notice an odd-looking public oratory, Oratório da Cruz do Pascoal, plunked in the middle of Rua Joaquim Távora.

Igreja NS do Bonfim

Take the Bonfim bus across the road from the Mercado São Joaquim to the Igreja NS do Bonfim, further along the Itapagipe Peninsula. Built in 1745, the shrine is famous for its miraculous power to effect cures. In the Sala dos Milagres you will see votive offerings: replicas of feet, arms, heads, hearts - parts of the body devotees claim were cured. For Candomblistas, Bonfim is the church of Oxalá and thus their most important church. In January, the Lavagem do Bonfim, one of Bahia's most important festivals, takes place here and mães de santo (Candomblé priestesses) lead the festivities together with Catholic priests. There are also huge services at Bonfim on the first and last Friday of each month. When you approach the church you'll undoubtedly be offered a fita (ribbon) to tie around your wrist for a small donation. With the fita you can make three wishes that will come true by the time it falls off. This usually takes over two months and you must allow it to fall off from natural wear and tear. Cutting it off is said to bring bad luck. The church is open Tuesday to Sunday from 6 am to noon and 2 to 6 pm.

Igreja da Boa Viagem

In baroque style, its construction is from the eighteenth century. Portuguese wall tiles cover the front of the church. It usually receives thousands of devoted people from December 27th to January 1st, when the image of Our Lord Bom Jesus dos Navegantes is taken to the Church of Conceição da Praia, returning on the next day through a maritime procession.

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