| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Largo do Pelourinho, Salvador | |
 Interactive map of Historic Centre ofSalvador de Bahia | |
| Location | Salvador, Bahia, Brazil |
| Reference | 309 |
| Inscription | 1985 (9thSession) |
| Coordinates | 12°58′S38°30′W / 12.967°S 38.500°W /-12.967; -38.500 |
  Historic Center of Salvador Location of Historic Center of Salvador in Brazil | |
TheHistoric Center (US) orCentre (UK) (Portuguese:Centro Histórico) ofSalvador de Bahia inBrazil, also known as thePelourinho (Portuguese for "Pillory") orPelo, is a historic neighborhood in westernSalvador, Bahia.[1] It was the city's center during thePortuguesecolonial period and was named for the whipping post in its central plaza where enslaved people from Africa were publicly beaten as punishment for alleged infractions. The Historic Center is extremely rich in historical monuments dating from the 17th through the 19th centuries.
Designated a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, thePelourinho retains a vibrant repertoire of colonial Portuguese architecture, exemplified by theMannerist decoration of theCathedral of Salvador, theBaroque intricacy of theChurch and Convent of São Francisco and theChurch of the Third Order of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People. In addition, thePelourinho remains a cultural hub for theAfro-Brazilian community, whose cuisine, architecture, religion and music exert a salient influence on the neighborhood and testify to the "empowerment and influence of Afro cultures"[2] in theNew World. Although historical preservation efforts initiated in the 1990s enhanced safety, promoted tourism and facilitated greater economic development, they also resulted in the dislocation of Afro-Brazilian residents in the enclave and contributed to gentrification. As such, the development of thePelourinho continues to attract attention in the gubernatorial politics ofBahia.
TheChurch of the Holy See (Igreja da Sé), an integral part of the architectural set of the Historic Center, was demolished in 1933 along with four other blocks of buildings from the colonial and imperial periods. TheArchbishop's Palace, connected to the church, remains. Debates over the destruction of historic sites in Salvador and elsewhere in Brazil led to the first attempts at federal-level protection of historic assets and eventually to the establishment of theNational Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.[3]
TheTerreiro de Jesus, just north of Praça Municipal, is home to structures from the 17th to 19th century constructions. Catedral Basilica, former Igreja dos Jesuítas (Jesuit Church), and churchesOrdem Terceira de São Domingos andChurch of Saint Peter of the Clergymen (São Pedro dos Clérigos) stand out in Terreiro de Jesus, with its water fountain in the center.[4]
The former Medical School Building, originally occupied by the Jesuit School, is now the Memorial da Medicina (Medicine Memorial), Arqueologia e Etnologia (Archeology and Ethnology), and Afro-Brasileiro (Afro-Brazilian) museums. TheHouse of the Seven Lamps (Casa dos Sete Candeeiros), now a museum, is nearby. Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco (Cruzeiro de São Francisco Largo), practically an extension of Terreiro de Jesus, has an old cross in the center, and, on the back, the monumental religious set made up ofSão Franscisco Church and Convent, andChurch of the Third Order of Saint Francis (Ordem Terceira de São Franscisco Church). TheChurch of the Third Order of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos),Church of the Blessed Sacrament at Rua do Passo, andChurch of the Third Order of Mount Carmel are located further north in the district. Numerous colonial-period historic residences, including thePalace of Saldanha andHouse of the Seven Deaths, are located on streets outside of the main plazas.
Many buildings of the Historic Center have been renovated since the initial survey of Salvador by theNational Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage in the 1930s. This work extended to the revitalization of whole blocks of historic houses, convents, and churches from the beginning of the 1990s.[5] There are more than 800 buildings with restored façades and interiors; many wereadapted to function as small museums and cultural centers.[6]
The Historic Center of Salvador as a whole was listed as a national heritage site by theNational Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage in 1984. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.[6][1]
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