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“The northeast coast of Brazil was the first area of the country colonized by the Portuguese, being closest by sea to their native land. The oldest—and most picturesque—of the Portuguese settlements was Salvador, founded in 1549 and for over two hundred years the capital of Brazil. (Rio de Janeiro, with its more magnificent harbor, became the capital in 1763; in 1960 the capital was moved to the new city of Brasília.)

“Guarded by ancient forts and situated on a bluff-like peninsula several hundred feet high, Salvador faces both east and west. Its bay frontage is largely taken by heavy shipping, but the Atlantic waterfront is alive with colorful coastal lighters. A fine strip of Classic-inspired architecture lends organization and authoritative background to the frenetic activity in front… The town’s upper level, though now largely preempted by the twentieth century, harbors a number of fine colonial buildings, including three notable eighteenth-century churches.”

— G. E. Kidder Smith. Looking at Architecture. p96.