Tourist information about Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

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Bom Jesus dos Passos Island in Todos os Santos Bay is a small, quiet island 10 minutes by boat from Madre de Deus, close to Frades Island.

The island has a sloop ship yard and just one village, with cobbled, tree-lined streets, as well as bars, a simple restaurant and a bakery.

The Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos is the most prominent monument.

Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos
Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos

In the midst of mangroves and dense forest, between the islands of Madre de Deus and dos Frades, the island of Bom Jesus offers beautiful scenery, with the church of the same name in the background.

The sea, with its vast blue and calm waters, is ideal for fishing and water sports.

With five thousand inhabitants in just one kilometre, the island offers inns, restaurants, affordable grocery stores and a large camping area, as well as options for water sports and fishing. The island is also known for its four beaches with calm blue waters, perfect for swimming.

The main beaches are

  1. Praia da Pontinha, the beach in front of the church
  2. Praia do Nordeste
  3. Ponta do Padre Beach

Although it is little known to the majority of Salvador‘s population, the island of Bom Jesus dos Passos belongs to the municipality. The only access to the island is by sea, by boat from Madre de Deus, located 65 kilometres from Salvador.

It’s worth exploring its quiet streets, where the inhabitants basically make their living from fishing and carpentry. Among the points of interest are the Solar dos Duarte, the Rua, Porrãozinho and Grande fountains, as well as the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.

These characteristics make the island of Bom Jesus dos Passos a traditional fishing village, preserving cultural traits from the Recôncavo Baiano and the unique popular Christian festivals that mark the local calendar.

Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos
Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos

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Tourist Information about Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

1. Tradition

The island of Bom Jesus dos Passos preserves a historic charm with its centuries-old houses of simple architecture, full of history.

The island’s main economic activity is fishing, as in the villages of the Recôncavo Baiano, and this tradition is alive in the rafts and sailboats that decorate the sea.

In addition, the lace makers and shellfish gatherers play an important role, maintaining the knowledge passed down for generations.

2. Religiosity

Religiosity is a defining cultural feature of the island of Bom Jesus dos Passos. The main religious festivities include the feast of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, celebrated in January, with processions and novenas preceding the big event.

The very next day, there is the maritime procession of Our Lady of the Navigators, both celebrated on the second Saturday in January. During this period, the island receives many visitors, many of whom choose to stay in camping tents, as the island has only two simple inns.

These religious events and the local hospitality attract visitors from all over the country, who come to experience the island’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

3. Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos

The Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos is one of the island’s main landmarks. Construction of the church began in 1766, after its licence was granted in 1726.

Igreja de Bom Jesus dos Passos
Igreja de Bom Jesus dos Passos

The interior of the church is decorated in neoclassical style, with three altars and the image of Senhor dos Passos, carved in wood by Félix Pereira. The façade has a rococo style.

The church is under the care of the Brotherhood of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, founded in 1815.

Although it is located in the municipality of Salvador, the church has been linked to the Parish of the Holy Family in Madre de Deus, subordinate to the Diocese of Camaçari since 2010.

4. Illustrious figures

Among the island’s illustrious inhabitants is singer-songwriter Gerônimo, who has been organising the ‘O Pagador de Promessas’ project for five years, bringing cultural and musical shows to the island.

Another important figure is the artist Izolino Passos, creator of the traditional ‘Ternos de Reis’, the carnival blocks and the ‘caretas do carnaval’.

The “caretas ’ are a tradition in which children and young people wear masks and parade through the streets, scaring and amusing themselves in the days leading up to Carnival.

5. Beaches

The most popular beaches on the island are Praia da Pontinha and Praia da Ponta do Padre. Unlike Ilha de Maré and Ilha dos Frades, these beaches don’t have long stretches of sand, but are popular for their calm waters and natural beauty.

History of Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

The island was originally inhabited by Tupinambás Indians and was known as Pataíba Assú.

In 1624, it was colonised by the Dutch, who, after battles, settled in the region, and the island came to be called Ilha dos Brancos (Island of the Whites), as the entry of blacks was forbidden.

Later, the island received blacks from Maragojipe, who traded with the island. For years, the island served as a base for sloops that transported goods from the Recôncavo to Salvador.

In 1776, the island received its current name after Dr André de Carvalho built the Senhor dos Passos Church.

The church was built on a site that had previously served as a cemetery, where, during a renovation, human bones were found. In the past, it was customary to bury nobles and bourgeois in churches.

The feast of Bom Jesus dos Passos has Roman origins and was brought to Brazil by the Jesuits during the colonial period.

The first records of this festival in Bahia date back to the beginning of the 18th century, when it was restricted to the elite. The celebration only began to become popular among the poorer classes from 1771 onwards, gaining prominence in the 1930s.

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide to Bahia and Salvador.

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