Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Oxalá, the supreme deity
in the Candomblé religion
(see p177)
.
On Fridays, worshippers
dress in white and dedicate
their prayers to Oxalá. On
other days, in a small chapel
just to the right of the main
altar, one can visit the Sala
dos Milagres (Chamber of
Miracles). Believers come
here to offer items made of
wax, wood, or even gold.
The item represents a miracle
that has been bestowed upon
them. The room is packed
with replicas of hearts, lungs,
livers, and breasts, as well as
babies, houses, and even cars.
Outside, visitors are
besieged with offers of
fitas
,
little colored ribbons pur-
chased as a good luck charm.
The ribbon is meant to be tied
around the wrist with three
knots, and a wish is made for
each knot. The ribbon is then
worn until it falls off in order
for the wishes to be granted.
Exquisite Portuguese
azulejo
(tile work) at Nosso Senhor do Bonfim
Nosso Senhor do
Bonfim
y
Largo do Bonfim s/n.
Tel
(071) 3316
2196.
#
7-11am & 2-5pm daily.
5
7am, 8am & 5pm Tue-Sun.
about 6 miles (10 km) north
of Pelourinho. The church
was built between 1746 and
1754 by Captain Rodrigues de
Faria in fulfilment of a pledge
he made in the midst of a
fierce Atlantic storm. While
the hilltop setting is pictur-
esque, what sets the church
apart is not its architecture
but the role it plays in Bahia's
Afro-Brazilian religion. The
church is dedicated to God
the Father, but it also honors
Nosso Senhor do Bonfim
(Our Lord of Good Success)
stands atop a small hill on
the Bonfim Peninsula, a strip
of land jutting out into the
Baía de Todos os Santos
Salvador's Atlantic Coast
The tip of Porto da Barra is the beginning of a string
of ocean beaches. The best beaches for swimming
and sunbathing are close to the southern edge of the
city. The best beach close to the city center is Porto
do Barra. Farther out, Amaralina's food stalls and
acarajé
(see p179)
kiosks are popular on weekends.
Itapoã is known for its calm waters and reefs that
form natural pools at low tide.
Ondina's beautiful beach
is
lined with many of Salvador's
biggest and best hotels that look
out over the foamy waves.
Rio Vermelho
is the starting point of
a procession honoring
Yemanjá
(see p41)
.
Porto da Barra
is the
closest swimming
beach to Salvador's
historic center. The
lighthouse here is
a great place from
which to watch a
spectacular sunset
over calm waters.
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For hotels and restaurants in this region see p377 and pp402-403
