You can´t miss a visit to the Pelourinho with colorfull and narrow streets, full of mysterious and charming corners. Bahia, color bracelets from do Senhor do Bom Fim da Bahia and palm oil scents, create a unique climate, warm and memorable.
In Pelourinho you will find the Lacerda Elevator and with a 5-cent coin you will be transported (like the 28,000 passengers who do daily) to the Mercado Modelo, traditional and gigantic market with sixty-three crafts shops. This unique place is the perfect setting to go during the special occasions that are repeated year after year. One of them is the “Lavagem do BonFim da Bahia”. This religious ceremony takes place every year. The crowd, mostly wearing white clothing with blue details starts the journey at 8 am from the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia, near the Mercado Modelo, in the lower part of the city. Surrounded by the gorgeous Baianas, in their white typical dresses and full of lovely and delicate laces, with flowers and large jars with water scented with alfazema (lavender), the journey began. The lucky inhabitants from this paradise mixed up with tourists from around the world. Flowers, necklaces, music and drums. Beer, lots of water, hats of all kinds. After an 8 km walk and climbing the hill that takes to the BonFim Church, the Baianas would be in charge of washing the stairs that takes us to the main entrance.
This event is one of the most important celebrations in Salvador de Bahia, toguether with the Carnaval and the Iemanja´s day. Iemanja is one of the “Orixas”, the african gods worshiped by the Yoruba religion. She represents motherhood and is the Queen of the Sea. Her day is February 2. Her followers gather next to her temple, in the neighbourhood of Rio Vermelho. Small, waterfront, could be mistaken for a fisherman’s cottage. People would offer the goddess necklaces, mirrors, perfumes, various foods and flowers, many flowers. Infinite boats venture into the sea, carrying more and more gifts for Iemanjá.
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Love to travel! From Argentina.
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