Learn about the historical and architectural significance of the Lacerda Elevator, which connects the lower and upper parts of Salvador.

The Lacerda Elevator is one of the most iconic landmarks in Salvador, Bahia and Brazil.

In addition to its importance as an essential means of transport between Salvador’s lower and upper city, the Lacerda Elevator is also a symbol of the history and modernisation of Bahia’s capital.

The Lacerda Elevator is one of the icons of Brazilian architecture.

The Lacerda Elevator is a means of public transport that connects two parts of Salvador’s Historic Centre: the upper and lower city. At a height of 63 metres, the lift connects the two points in a quick 20-second ride.

The elevator, the postcard of the Bahian capital, was built to solve a major problem at the time of the city’s construction and economic development.

Salvador is divided by a large escarpment, a geological accident that creates an unevenness of almost 60 metres in the terrain, so transporting goods or even walking from the Upper City to the Lower City was a real challenge.

In the 17th century, solutions to this problem were found in cranes and other transport systems, but always with a focus on the transit of goods.

For people wishing to travel between the upper and lower towns, the options were long flights of stairs, poorly paved hillsides and, in the 18th century, animal-drawn trams.

Video on the history of the Lacerda lift

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História do Elevador Lacerda - Salvador BA

History of the construction of the Lacerda lift

1. History and context

Urban and geographical context

• Salvador is a city that developed on two levels: the Upper City, where the administrative buildings, churches and palaces of the colonial period were located, and the Lower City, where the port, trade and warehouses were concentrated.
• The difference in level between the Upper and Lower Towns is about 72 metres. In the 19th century, this height difference posed a challenge to urban mobility, making it difficult to transport people and goods between the two areas.

History of the lift

• Before the Lacerda Elevator, transport between the two parts of the city relied on steep slopes, staircases and a system of rudimentary cranes, mainly used for lifting loads.
• In 1873, Antônio de Lacerda, an engineer from Bahia, had the idea of building a lift that would connect the two parts of the city more quickly and efficiently. This idea was inspired by other elevator projects in European and American cities.

2. Construction of the Lacerda Lift

1 Start of the project

• Construction of the lift began in 1869 under the supervision of Antônio de Lacerda and with the collaboration of his brother, Augusto Frederico de Lacerda.
• The work pioneered the use of modern technology at the time, including the use of steam-powered machinery and the introduction of a system of cables and counterweights.

2. Architecture and engineering

• Despite its innovation, the Lacerda lift was criticised at the time, especially by foreigners. They pointed out that it used too little iron, a symbol of the development of engineering and architecture at the time.
• The dominant style in the architecture of the Lacerda Lift is neoclassical, with full-arched openings marking access to the installations in the Upper City, where the top of the tower was connected to the Palace Square by a metal walkway.

3. Inauguration and original structure

• The lift was inaugurated on 8 December 1873, initially under the name of Elevador Hidráulico da Conceição da Praia. At that time, the lift consisted of two towers and two cabins powered by a hydraulic system.
• The original structure was about 63 metres high and could carry up to 23 people at a time. The journey took about 30 seconds.

3. Renaming and extensions

• In 1896, the lift was renamed Elevador Lacerda in honour of its creator, Antônio de Lacerda.
• Over the years, the Lacerda lift has undergone several upgrades and extensions to improve efficiency and increase capacity.
• The lift underwent a series of renovations until it became the current model. In 1906 it was first rebuilt to widen its base and make it electrically powered.
• In 1930 the drive system was converted to electricity, making it faster and more reliable.
• In 1930 the lift also underwent a major refurbishment, which included the construction of a new concrete tower in the Art Deco style and the installation of two more cabins, making a total of four passenger cabins. The height was increased to 72 metres and the capacity increased from 32 to 128 passengers per trip.

3. Significance and impact

1. urban mobility and economy

• The Lacerda Elevator was a landmark of innovation and modernisation for Salvador, providing a fast and efficient link between the lower and upper city. It facilitated the transport of goods, stimulated trade and connected residents in both parts of the city.
• The lift contributed to the economic and social development of Salvador, helping to integrate the commercial and administrative areas and moving the flow of people on a daily basis.

2. Tourism and culture

• In addition to its practical function, the Lacerda Lift has become a tourist attraction due to its impressive architecture and the panoramic views it offers over Todos-os-Santos Bay.
• Today it is one of the most visited tourist sites in Salvador, attracting millions of national and international tourists who come to enjoy the view and learn about the city’s history.
• The elevator is also a cultural and historical symbol, representing the modernisation of Salvador and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bahians.

4. Curiosities

• The Lacerda lift is the first urban lift in the world and one of the greatest examples of 19th century vertical public transport.
• With a total height of 72 metres, it carries around 900,000 passengers a month and is one of the main means of transport between the upper and lower city.
• The journey time between the two parts of the city is around 20 to 30 seconds.

5. Conclusion

Inaugurated in 1873, the Lacerda Lift is a landmark of innovation and urban mobility in Salvador, Bahia.

Designed by Antônio de Lacerda, the lift was originally steam-powered and later modernised to operate electrically.

At a height of 72 metres, the lift connects the upper and lower parts of the city, playing a fundamental role in the daily lives of Salvadorans and attracting tourists.

In addition to its functional importance, the Lacerda Lift is a symbol of the history, culture and progress of the Bahian capital, making it one of Brazil’s most iconic monuments.

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