Located in the south of Bahia, the municipality of Belmonte is one of the extremities of the Costa do Descobrimento, bordering Canavieiras to the north and Santa Cruz Cabrália to the south. The city is known for its natural beauty, historical heritage and rich culture.
Video about Belmonte in Bahia
History of Belmonte
Originally inhabited by the Botocudo Indians, the Belmonte region was part of the Captaincy of Porto Seguro at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time, Portuguese settlers began to settle in São Pedro do Rio Grande, near the present-day Jequitinhonha River.
The Jesuits catechised the natives and founded the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Madre de Deus, considered to be the first local building. For a long time, the town was an important gateway to Minas Gerais, using the Jequitinhonha River as a waterway to Salto da Divisa.
Situated on a plain between the Jequitinhonha River and the Atlantic Ocean, Belmonte prospered during the cocoa cycle at the end of the 19th century.
In 1891, it was elevated to the status of town, initially called Belmonte do Jequitinhonha.
It is believed that the name Belmonte was proposed in honour of the Portuguese town of the same name, the birthplace of Pedro Álvares Cabral.
There is evidence that the first “signs of land” seen by Cabral’s squadron came from the Jequitinhonha River, which at that time was more turbulent and carried vegetation from the Atlantic Rainforest as it moved with the sea currents.
Tourist Attractions of Belmonte
1. Historic centre
The Belmonte Historic Centre is home to colonial buildings such as the Belmonte Rural Union, dating from the 19th century, and a mansion dating from 1897, as well as the City Hall, dating from the early 20th century.
1.1 Mother Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The churches include the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the main religious centre of the city.
The Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, located in Belmonte, Bahia, on the banks of the Jequitinhonha River, was built in 1895, replacing a chapel built in 1871. This historical and religious monument has become a meeting place for pilgrims during the annual festival in honour of the patron saint, celebrated from 7 to 16 July.
In 1879, a flood of the Jequitinhonha River caused serious damage to the church, sweeping away the Carrara marble altar, which was never found despite attempts to recover it.
Decades later, in 1980, the church suffered another blow when thieves stole the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and other images. Fortunately, the main images, such as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lord of the Steps, remained intact.
The Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is more than a place of worship: it is a symbol of Belmonte’s history and culture, reflecting the faith and perseverance of its people throughout the years.
1.2 Belmonte lighthouse
The Belmonte lighthouse is one of the main landmarks of the town, offering a panoramic view of the region.
The Belmonte Lighthouse was inaugurated on 20 May 1885 with the mission of signalling the mouth of the river Jequitinhonha. Its construction was supervised by the mechanic José Gomes Serpa, and the original project was presented in 1884 by the director of lighthouses, Captain Cerqueira Lima.
The tower, built with wooden columns resting on iron piles, had a 6th order light apparatus with a fixed white light and a range of 10 miles, with a focus at a height of 16 metres.
On October 12th 1901, the city of Belmonte inaugurated a new lighthouse, with an iron tower of the Mitchell system, equipped with a 3rd order light apparatus. This new lighthouse was 35 metres high and had a range of 18 miles, suitable for the intense port activity of the city, which transported its huge cocoa production.
In 1905, due to the advancing waters of the river, the structure was moved to the opposite bank, 1.5 kilometres from its original position. The mechanic Alfredo Kurt Schultze was responsible for the transfer and reactivation of the lighthouse, which took place on 1 May 1907. In 1930 the lighthouse was automated and currently uses photovoltaic energy.
2. Jequitinhonha River
The muddy waters of the Jequitinhonha River meander through coconut groves before emptying into the sea.
Depending on the time of year, it carries clay to its banks, resulting in reddish soils that favour the breeding of crustaceans such as the guaiamum, giving Belmonte the title of Capital of the Guaiamum.
3. Mogiquiçaba Beach
Mogiquiçaba Beach is ideal for windsurfing and surfing, as well as being good for net and reel fishing. The area is also a nesting site for sea turtles and is protected by IBAMA.
4. Caieira Beach
Known for its lush mangroves, Praia da Caieira is home to several species such as crab, guaiamun, caprioleum and “chama-maré”. The mangroves can be accessed from the Biela neighbourhood or from the Mar Moreno beach.
5. Mar Moreno Beach
Praia do Mar Moreno is one of the most famous beaches in Belmonte, Bahia, located about 1.5 km from the city centre. Known for its dark, fresh water due to its confluence with the Jequitinhonha River, the beach is a popular meeting place, especially during Carnival, when electric trios are concentrated. It is also popular with surfers for its good waves at high tide. The beach also has infrastructure with kiosks and stalls serving typical dishes such as moquecas and the famous guaiamum cevado.
6. Barra Sul beach
Praia da Barra Sul, also known as Boca da Barra or Praia Sul, in Belmonte, Bahia, is a quiet beach located at the mouth of the Jequitinhonha River. With its calm waters and long stretch of sand, it is a popular spot for leisure activities such as walking and swimming. The surrounding area is rich in biodiversity and offers a natural and rustic environment, ideal for those seeking peace and contact with nature.
How to get to Belmonte
- By Porto Seguro: The nearest airport is Porto Seguro. From there, drive 24 kilometres to Santa Cruz Cabrália. After taking a ferry across the João de Tiba River, it’s a 42 kilometre bus ride to Belmonte. citeturn0search1
- By BR-101: From the BR-101, take the road to Itapebi. The route includes sections of cobbled, gravel and tarmac roads, totalling 59 km to Belmonte.
- Via Canavieiras: You can reach Belmonte by speedboat from Canavieiras. The journey takes around 40 minutes and offers an ecological trip along the Pardo and Jequitinhonha rivers, with views of mangroves, river islands and bars.
Belmonte is a destination that combines history, culture and natural beauty, offering visitors a unique experience.
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Guide to Belmonte in Bahia
