Salvador, Brazil – UNESCO-listed Pelourinho disctrict

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From Barra beach to UNESCO-listed Pelourinho colonial old town, Salvador has the allures of two distinct destinations in its hilly snake along the coast.

The plan was to wander as whim took us, though São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador was a must-see. Indeed it is one of most varied and interesting churches I have visited.

The district is above-average colonial old town, though very touristy and noisy. There are lots of street performers and vendors. The restaurants, in particular, had no allure. We were glad to be staying elsewhere.

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Very long line for that elevator

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Too bad it seems that fortress is closed to tourists

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Well-preserved architecture

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Overlooking the square

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The main square

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Fierce cherub

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São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador

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São Francisco sculpture detail

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Moralistic story illustrations ring the courtyard

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Painter with umbrella hat

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That's one way to catch the eye of passersby

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Rapid Travel Chai
11 years ago

@James K – you picked a stellar one. Quito I loved for the rolling hills and breathtaking mountaintop position. The whole city is colonial style. I had half a day to explore and wish I had a whole day. Salvador has a lot of dumpy, congested areas then this compact core, which has the Art Deco part and then the colonial part. I had a whole day to spare but spent 2 hours. The distances in Brazil are so vast, and the costs so high, that if it hadn’t saved me a lot of miles and cash to travel via… Read more »

James K.
James K.
11 years ago

How would you say the old town compares to, say, Quito’s, (which I seem to remember you visited)