Porto Seguro Old City Center and Bahia history
The Porto Seguro Old City Center is the so-called upper city, with a large historic center or “centro historico”. The Catholic colonial heritage of the Porto Seguro Historical City is valued and treasured by the local population as an important piece of Bahia history.
The Cidade Alta area of the city is a government-owned National Heritage Monument, which has been protected as a site of national historical importance since 1973. The Cidade Alta area of the Porto Seguro Old City Center includes three churches and about 40 buildings, both private homes and public buildings, which have been restored and preserved by the state. Special lighting floods the area at night, maximizing the tourist attraction element and providing a beautiful view of the city.
The lighting in the Porto Seguro Old City Center means that you will be rewarded with great photographic opportunities at night as well as during the day.
Some of the historic monuments you will want to visit in the Porto Seguro Old City Center include:
- Capela do Colégio do Salvador – This chapel is in the simple style of the first colonial period in Porto Seguro. It was originally a large Jesuit college, but that building was demolished in 1917 and the chapel is all that now remains.
- Casa de Câmara e Cadeia – This ancient building was constructed in 1772. It used to be used as the main Porto Seguro town hall and prison and now houses Porto Seguro’s museum.
- Fortim – The fortress at the Buranhem River. The original fortress was built way back in 1526 to protect Porto Seguro citizens from the Red Indians. It has since been rebuilt twice – the current ruin was the third fortress, which was built in the 17th century.
- Igreja da Misericôrdia: This baroque style church was built in the 18th century but its history goes back even further, as it was originally built on the site of a chapel harking back to the 16th century.
- The Marco do Descobrimento – This is a stone block, of the type of those erected by Portuguese sailors as a mark of ownership when they discovered a shore. The Marco do Descobrimento in Porto Seguro is a bit of a mystery, as no one knows when it was placed here.
There are so many interesting and beautiful buildings to see during your stay in Porto Seguro; it is a fascinating part of Bahia history so be sure to explore the Porto Seguro Old City Center while you are visiting Brazil.
From Porto Seguro Old City Center back to Porto Seguro Brazil Guide
Porto Seguro culture attractions
Porto Seguro culture attractions are many and varied. Porto Seguro culture attractions include Porto Seguro churches, museums, Porto Seguro art and architecture
The Porto Seguro Museum
The Porto Seguro Museum is a well-loved piece of Porto Seguro culture. Bahia history is portrayed at the Porto Seguro Museum, or “Museum of the Discovery.”
Porto Seguro History
Porto Seguro History starts in 1500 when Brazil was “discovered” by the Portuguese. Be sure to learn the exciting story of Porto Seguro History on your holiday.