This post is also on:
Português
English
History of Itaparica Island
The island of Itaparica was discovered by Europeans on 1st November 1501 by Américo Vespúcio, along with the Bay of Todos os Santos. However, the island was already occupied by Tupinambás Indians.

The European occupation of Itaparica Island began with a small settlement nucleus founded by Jesuits on the back coast in 1560, where the village of Baiacu – then called Vila do Senhor da Vera Cruz– is located today.
During this period, the village began planting sugar cane and wheat, and received the first cattle in the region. It was also in Baiacu that the religious built the colony’s first hydraulic engineering project: a dam to supply drinking water and services to the settlement.
The wealth generated on Itaparica Island in this short space of time led to English corsairs attacking the island as early as 1597. Between 1600 and 1647, it was invaded by the Dutch. During the last of these invasions, the Dutch built a fort in the town of Itaparica called Forte de São Lourenço.
Ilha de Itaparica - Guia de Turismo
Ilha de Itaparica - Dicas de Viagem
Ilha de Itaparica - História
Ilha de Itaparica - Documentário
The island of Itaparica was the scene of an important battle during Bahia’s struggle for independence between 1821 and 1823.
It was on Itaparica that the first steam engine was installed on Brazilian soil, at the Ingá-Açu mill.
The island was emancipated from Salvador on 8 August 1833 and made a city on 30 July 1962. The municipality was later split into two: Itaparica and Vera Cruz.
Map of Itaparica Island in Bahia
See the map of Todos os Santos Bay
Itaparica Island Tourist Attractions
Itaparica Island is one of the most beautiful islands on the Brazilian coast. Its long coastline is surrounded by coral reefs, known as ‘Pinaúnas Reefs’, which extend from Bom Despacho to Ponta de Aratuba.
Decree-Law 467 of 20 October 1997 established the Pinaúnas Environmental Preservation Area.
Itaparica Island is 45 minutes from Salvador by ferry or by the Mar Grande maritime transport system; it is linked to the mainland at the south-east end (Estreito do Funil) by the João das Botas bridge via BA-001.
The town of Itaparica is the only seaside hydro-mineral resort in the Americas. Its water is carbonated and sulphated with a good dose of carbonic acid and a radioactivity content of 0.82 maces at source at twenty degrees centigrade. It has digestive and diuretic powers and is especially recommended for patients with liver and spleen problems.
Another attraction in the town is the popsicle seller Picoleixon, a local folk figure. He has created names that end with “eixom ’ for the flavours of the popsicles he sells. This native of the city has taken part in several television reports, including the famous Jô Programme.
Preserving Itaparica Island
In addition to its historical importance and geographical uniqueness, Itaparica Island has one of the most pleasant historical and architectural complexes, beaches with warm waters, diverse folklore, its own handicrafts and a cuisine that is one of the most appreciated in all of Brazil.
Historical records about the island are extremely rich, including the arrival in 1510 of the Portuguese navigator Diogo Álvaro Correia, known as Caramuru.
The famous shipyards on Itaparica Island were also the colony’s shipbuilding emporium: the first keel of the Brazilian Navy was built there. At this time, there were also five brandy distilleries, as well as lime factories (nine in the mid-19th century). However, the island’s main economic activity was whaling, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. For this reason, before being called Itaparica, it was known as Arraial da Ponta das Baleias.
The island of Itaparica is located thirteen kilometres by ferry from Salvador and is the largest of the 56 islands in Todos os Santos Bay.
It has more than forty kilometres of beaches (average temperature 24.5 degrees Celsius), with abundant tropical vegetation, where lush coconut groves predominate, and the city of Salvador in front of it, separated by the Bay of All Saints.
‘The island’, as it is affectionately called by its residents, holidaymakers and tourists, has 146 square kilometres and 55,000 inhabitants spread over two municipalities: Itaparica, where the only seaside hydromineral spring in the Americas is located.
The municipality of Vera Cruz, on the other hand, has the luxury of having its headquarters named Mar Grande. The municipality of Vera Cruz therefore has the town of Mar Grande as its urban centre.
Between Itaparica, the seat of the municipality, and Cacha Pregos, the extremes of the island’s coastline, there are beautiful beaches with excellent bathing and safety conditions. A line of reefs acts as a breakwater, reducing the force of the waves and forming a natural breeding ground for octopuses, lobsters and other shellfish. Most of these beaches have shallow, calm and warm waters.
The island offers quality services at all levels – restaurants with delicious seafood, boat trips, skydiving and a multitude of entertainment options.
Documentary about Itaparica Island in Bahia – Itaparica Island Tourism and Travel Guide