Colonial past
History and architecture
It is clear that Brazil was once a Portuguese colony; it is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken. However, this is not the only remnant of that era. In Brazil, you’ll find numerous charming historic towns where time seems to have stood still and you feel as though you’ve been transported back to a bygone era.
-
Afro-Brazilian culture
The colonial city of Salvador is buzzing; it is the most African-influenced city in South America. Even more so than in other parts of Brazil, here you can experience the electrifying atmosphere of a vibrant and bustling Afro-Brazilian culture, which emerged because many slaves from Africa ended up in Salvador to work on the sugar cane plantations in Bahia.
-
Ouro Preto Open-Air Museum
Ouro Preto is a veritable open-air museum. After the gold rush broke out in Brazil in the 18th century, Ouro Preto became its main centre. Many people flocked to this region and settled in the town. A great deal of money was made, and this is evident in the many richly decorated buildings and churches in the town’s well-preserved historic centre.
-
Ibitipoca Reserve
On the way from Rio de Janeiro to Ouro Preto, you’ll pass through Reserva do Ibitipoca, a beautiful nature reserve where you can stay at the former Fazenda do Engenho, an old farm dating from 1715, where you’ll be immersed in the simple farming life of the colonial era. Everything has been restored to its original condition. A truly unique place, where you can take a romantic journey back in time without having to compromise on comfort, whilst surrounded by an enchantingly beautiful natural landscape.
-
Baroque architecture in Tiradentes
Tiradentes is a small town founded in 1702 in the Minas Gerais region. Here you will find beautiful Baroque architecture. The town owes its name to Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes. He was nicknamed Tiradentes (tooth puller) because of his profession as a dentist, but was best known as a Brazilian freedom fighter.
-
Where Maurits van Nassau lives on
The town of Olinda was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later colonised by the Dutch. Today, you can still find buildings here dating from the Dutch colonial period, and Maurits van Nassau is regarded as a great figure. There are also several buildings with Arabic and English influences. In Olinda, you’ll find various Baroque churches, monasteries and numerous small chapels.
-
Colonial painting on the Costa Verde
Paraty is a colonial town on the coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Paraty enjoyed its heyday in the 17th century, when gold and diamonds mined in the state of Minas Gerais were shipped from Paraty to Europe. These days, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the car-free town centre and take lovely boat trips past idyllic little islands.
Today, Salvador in north-eastern Brazil and Ouro Preto in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais are the two most important colonial cities in terms of tourism. Both cities are steeped in history and are well worth exploring.
Colonial buildings in Salvador
The full name of Salvador is ‘São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos’, or ‘Holy Saviour of the Bay of All Saints’. Salvador is the country’s third-largest city after São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Until 1763, Salvador was the capital of Brazil. This colonial city is full of life; it is the city with the most African character in South America. Salvador’s development was strongly influenced by the large number of slaves who arrived in Salvador from Africa to work on the many (sugar cane) plantations surrounding the city. The vast majority of Salvador’s current population consists of mulattos and Black people, almost all of whom are descended from the substantial slave population of that time. Even more so than in other parts of Brazil, here you can experience the electrifying atmosphere of a vibrant and bustling Afro-Brazilian culture. The historic upper town of Salvador boasts a large number of beautiful colonial buildings within a relatively small area. This part of the city, the Pelourinho district – known locally as Pelô – is also regarded as the beating heart of the city’s nightlife. In 1985, UNESCO added the historic upper town to the World Heritage List, and in 1990 it was beautifully restored.
Ouro Preto, a battleground of the independence struggle
Ouro Preto is the former Vila Rica. The town changed its name after independence and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It’s a delight to stroll through the winding streets, which wind their way up and down, lined with beautiful colonial buildings. You can really feel the history! And with good reason, for it was against the backdrop of these narrow streets, with their two-storey buildings and churches perched on hilltops, that the fiercest uprising against the Portuguese took place. The Inconfidência Mineira, a patriotic movement that fought for Brazilian independence, was crushed in 1789 with the hanging of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, better known as ‘Tiradentes’, who is now an important figure in history. Records of the uprising are housed in the Museum of the Inconfidência, the former municipal palace and prison, which holds a collection of furniture, everyday objects, documents and religious artefacts. On the spacious Tiradentes Square stands the Governor’s Palace, which now houses the Mining School – a higher education institution founded during the Empire – as well as the Museum of Mineralogy. Definitely worth a visit are the Casa dos Contos, where gold used to be weighed, and the theatre.
Fancy a trip of Brazil?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Brazil, including visits to colonial towns such as Salvador, Paraty and/or Ouro Preto, and are you curious about the options available? Then do have a look at the itineraries we’ve put together to inspire you. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.