The town of Barra Grande is the second most important town in the municipality of Maraú, after the town of Maraú itself.

Facing Camamu Bay, Barra Grande beach has a long stretch of clear sand and warm, calm waters, making it one of the most popular destinations on the Dendê Coast.

A former fishing village on the Maraú peninsula, south of Salvador, Barra Grande enchants visitors with its paradisiacal beaches, boat trips, nature trails and excellent seafood-based cuisine.

The village is the main gateway to the Maraú peninsula, especially for those arriving by boat from the town of Camamu.

Barra Grande has holiday homes, charming inns and the region’s main bars and restaurants, offering options ranging from traditional Bahian cuisine to more sophisticated dishes.

As a destination with restricted access, Barra Grande retains its authenticity and tranquil atmosphere.

Those who arrive are enchanted as they walk along the sandy streets, feel the quiet rhythm of the village and are welcomed by the warm hospitality of the locals, who still preserve the habit of having a siesta after lunch.

In addition to relaxation, the region offers unmissable activities such as diving in the natural pools, ecological hikes, speedboat rides around the neighbouring islands and the chance to contemplate one of Bahia‘s most spectacular sunsets.

Whether you’re looking for tranquillity or adventure, Vila de Barra Grande is a paradisiacal refuge that wins everyone over with its natural beauty and rustic charm.

Videos about the village of Barra Grande, the Maraú Peninsula and Camamu Bay

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Península de Maraú: 5 passeios imperdíveis

Barra Grande - Reportagem05:50

Praias imperdíveis em Barra Grande - Maraú15:02

Barra Grande - Dicas03:11

Barra Grande e Ponta do Mutá - Drone e Guia02:34

Barra Grande e Taipus de Fora - Guia Turístico

History of the village of Barra Grande

The village of Barra Grande, located in the municipality of Maraú in Bahia, has a rich history related to colonisation, local development and the gold trade.

The town of Barra Grande has its origins in the Portuguese occupation of Brazil, especially on the southern coast of Bahia, a region that was crucial to the process of colonisation and the exploitation of natural resources.

During the colonial period, the Barra Grande region was a strategic area for shipping and trade, serving as an outlet for products and natural resources such as gold and spices that were transported to Europe.

The region was inhabited by indigenous communities, mainly the Tupinambá tribe, who played an important role in the Portuguese colonisation process.

The town of Barra Grande was gradually established as the Estrada da Nação (which linked Salvador to the interior of Bahia) became an important transport route.

The road helped connect the interior of Bahia with the coast, facilitating the transport of goods and the gold trade, mainly to the port of Ilhéus and other coastal towns.

The village of Barra Grande was created as a small settlement, initially geared towards supplying shipping and exploiting natural resources, such as timber extraction and sugar cane cultivation.

The seasonality of its activities was marked by periods of greater commercial activity, related to the gold cycle and agricultural production.

In the 19th century, Barra Grande experienced an expansion in fishing and agriculture, which consolidated its local economy. Over time, the town organised itself around the parish of Nossa Senhora do Livramento de Barra Grande.

This parish was created in the 18th century with a focus on Catholic religiosity and the construction of a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Livramento.

The town’s growth was mainly due to its strategic location, which allowed for urban development and commercial dynamics in the regional context.

Barra Grande began to be recognised as a point of maritime transport and tourism, mainly due to its pier and natural harbour.

Over time, the town has developed in commercial importance and infrastructure, reflecting the vitality of the region as a connection point between the coast and the interior of Bahia.

Today, fishing, agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities in Barra Grande, which retains a rustic charm and is a popular destination for tourists looking for unspoilt nature and tranquillity.

Today, Barra Grande is one of Maraú‘s main tourist destinations, famous for its paradisiacal beaches, such as Praia de Barra Grande and Praia de Ponta do Mutá, as well as its growing infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and local shops.

Maraú Peninsula

The Maraú Peninsula is part of the municipality of Maraú, located in the southern Bahia Lowlands, at one end of Camamu Bay.

In recent years, the region has made a name for itself on the tourist scene, especially in the ecotourism segment.

The peninsula is a true natural paradise, with more than 40 kilometres of unspoilt beaches, natural pools formed in coral reefs, vast coconut groves, waterfalls, islands and lush mangroves.

The natural potential of the municipality of Maraú has Barra Grande as its main tourist centre.

This destination, in addition to its scenic beauty, has stood out for its growing infrastructure, attracting tourists seeking direct contact with nature and a peaceful environment.

Municipality of Maraú

The town of Maraú, the seat of the municipality, is full of historical and cultural charm and is one of the least explored tourist destinations, but one with great potential.

Its old houses and quiet streets hark back to the time of Portuguese colonisation. The town was once an important shipping depot due to its strategic location on Camamu Bay.

Tourist attractions

• Taipu de Fora: Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, famous for its natural pools, coconut groves and tourist infrastructure. At low tide, the crystal-clear pools are ideal for snorkelling, revealing a wealth of marine life.
• Ilha da Pedra Furada: A small island with impressive rock formations, surrounded by clear waters. Ideal for boat trips and diving.
• Tremembé Waterfall: One of the only waterfalls in the region where the fresh water flows directly into the sea. Access is by boat, across Camamu Bay, and the trip is a true immersion in nature.
• Ponta do Mutá: The perfect place to watch the sunset, with rustic bars and kiosks that create a romantic and relaxed atmosphere.
• Lagoa do Cassange: Separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand, it offers fresh waters ideal for relaxing and practising sports such as stand-up paddle and kayaking.
• Cidade de Maraú: In addition to the historic centre, the town centre has nature trails, waterfalls and viewpoints that offer a privileged view of the region.

With its natural beauty, unspoilt beaches and peaceful lifestyle, Maraú and its villages are an unmissable destination for those seeking contact with nature, adventure and relaxation on the Bahian coast.

History of the Municipality of Maraú

The origins of the municipality of Maraú date back to an Indian village called ‘Mayrahú’, founded in 1705 by Italian Capuchin friars.

The indigenous tribe that inhabited the region was called ‘Mayra’. It is not known exactly when this tribe disappeared, nor to which branch they belonged.

By order of the Crown, the bandeirante João Gonçalves da Costa built a road called ‘Estrada da Nação’.

The movement along this road facilitated the smuggling of the ‘Quinto de Ouro’, which resulted in the creation of the village of Funis, where the road forked in the direction of Camamu and the village of Barra do Rio de Contas, which today is the city of Itacaré.

In order to hinder smuggling along the road, which led to the backlands of the Ressaca farm, the town of Vitória da Conquista was built on this site.

Thus, Mayrahú had its ‘Tax Registry’, forced by the need to collect the ‘Quinto da Coroa’.

The district of Mayrahú was created in 1717, and the chapel built by the friars was elevated to the category of parish with the name ‘São Sebastião de Mayrahú’ by Archbishop D. Sebastião Monteiro da Vide. Sebastião Monteiro da Vide in the same year.

The parish was elevated to the category of town by order of the Provisional Government that followed that of D. Antônio de Almeida Soares e Portugal, 3rd Count of Avintes, on 17 June 1761, and was installed by the Ombudsman-General of Bahia, Dr Luiz Greire Deveras, on 23 July of the same year. On that date, the town of Maraú was created.

By Decree-Law no. 10724 of 30 March 1938, the town was elevated to the category of city.

Between 1860 and 1864, the United Kingdom of England won a tender to set up a plant to distil paraffin, extracted from peat, from naphtha, and also to extract oil shale in Maraú.

The company was set up on the banks of the Maraú River. The popular version is that the plant was called ‘John Grant’, but the farmers, finding it difficult to pronounce, shortened it to ‘João Branco’.

When the João Branco mill was installed, with all the requirements of a large refinery, the cost to the British Crown was 600,000 pounds sterling.

The plant employed around 500 workers and had an internal railway with two locomotives.

One of them is said to be locomotive no. 12, which currently stands in front of DETRAN in Ilhéus. According to tradition, the Ilhéus Hotel was built with refractory bricks from the five chimneys of João Branco‘s factory.

Tourist Guide to Barra Grande on the Maraú Peninsula

This post is also on: Português English Deutsch Español Français