Salvador, the first capital of Brazil, is the country's oldest city and the one with the strongest African influence.

Visiting Bahia, with its beaches, churches and museums, as well as its folklore and popular celebrations, is a magical experience.

It means coming in direct contact with its secular tradition and mysticism in cooking, colonial houses, candomble meeting places (candomble is the local equivalent of voodoo), samba and of course capoeira circles.

Today, called "land of happiness, love, and joy", it is an enchanting, unforgettable place, with its 365 baroque churches.

The most richly decorated of them all is the church of São Francisco, while the most visited that of Bonfim, as it is revered by followers of different faiths.

The city is divided in two parts, and the Lacerda elevator establishes the junction between the two :

 In the Cidade Baixa, or "low town", at sea level and close to the old harbor, you will find the Mercado Modelo, a permanent arts and crafts fair, as well the Solar de Unhão, both a valuable museum and an elegant restaurant.

 In the Cidade Alta, or "high town", are the Pelourinho district, Castro Alves square, the old government buildings, churches and museums.

The historical center of Pelourinho is the largest aggregration of colonial architecture in Latin America, and figures in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Its sidewalks, steep streets and squares are permanent stages for musical attractions, such as Olodum, Ilê-Ayê and the Filhos de Gandhi, Afro-Brasilian groups that are popular year-round, and especially around Carnaval.