CATEDRAL BASÍLICA DE SALVADOR

The Catedral Basílica (full name Catedral Basílica Primacial São Salvador) was the place where the Jesuits centralized their missionary activities before becoming the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of Brazil. The Mannerist building of majestic proportions is one of the most imposing in the center of Salvador, and is almost as old as the city itself. Very powerful before it was definitively expelled from Brazil, it was the Jesuit Order that initiated the construction of the city's first church, which they flanked with a Jesuit College, in the second half of the 16th century. Rebuilt a century after its foundation, the new church was inaugurated and consecrated in 1672. However, it took a few years for the last elements to be added: the frontispiece was completed in 1679, the bells did not arrive from Portugal until 1682 and the towers were completed in 1694. The interior decoration took much longer, so that the 13 altars cover different periods and styles: classical, Renaissance, neo-baroque and rococo, and the façade did not receive its statues until much later, in 1746. The cathedral, which stands on the Terreiro de Jesus, is a must-see and must be visited. Unknown remains were discovered during the extensive renovation work, such as a staircase that descends into a subterranean space leading to catacombs.