Centre historique de Salvador de Bahia

Photo : Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, the historic centre of Salvador represents one of the oldest colonial settlements in the Americas and an important centre of Portuguese colonial power in Brazil. The site encompasses the original urban layout established in the 16th century, reflecting the planning principles and architectural traditions brought from Portugal. The historic district is characterized by its narrow streets, colonial buildings with whitewashed facades, churches, convents, and residential structures that document centuries of architectural and cultural development. Salvador's historic centre is significant for its material evidence of the Portuguese colonial period and the complex cultural interactions that shaped Brazilian society, including the substantial influence of African and indigenous populations on the urban fabric and cultural life. The site's preservation demonstrates the continuity of occupation and use from the colonial period through the contemporary era, making it an important reference point for understanding Brazil's colonial heritage and the formation of its multicultural identity.