The Lacerda Elevator is one of the most iconic landmarks in Salvador, Bahia, and in Brazil. In addition to its importance as an essential means of transport between Salvador’s Lower and Upper Towns, the Lacerda Elevator is also a symbol of the history and modernisation of the Bahian capital.

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

The Lacerda Elevator is a means of public transport that connects two parts of the historical centre of Salvador: the Cidade Alta and the Cidade Baixa. At 63 metres high, the lift connects the two points in a quick 20-second ride.

The lift, the postcard of the Bahian capital, was created to solve a major problem at a time when the city was being built and developing economically.

Salvador is divided by a large escarpment, a geological accident that creates a gradient 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, the solutions found to this problem were cranes and other transport systems, but always with a focus on the transit of goods.

For people who wanted to move between the Upper Town and the Lower Town, the options were long staircases, 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 and 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, which concentrated the port, commerce, and warehouses.
• The difference in level between the Upper and Lower Towns is around 72 metres. In the 19th century, this difference in altitude was a challenge for urban mobility, making it difficult to transport people and goods between the two areas.

Background of the Lift

• Before the Lacerda Elevator, transport between the two parts of the city was done via steep slopes, staircases and a system of rudimentary cranes that served mainly for cargo.
• In 1873, Antônio de Lacerda, an engineer from Bahia, devised the construction of a lift that would connect the two parts of the city more quickly and efficiently. This idea was inspired by other lift projects emerging in European and American cities.

2. Construction of the Lacerda Lift

1. Start of the Project

• The 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 technologies for the time, including the use of steam-powered machinery and the implementation of a system of cables and counterweights.

2. Architecture and Engineering

• Despite all the 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 predominant architectural style of the Lacerda Lift is neoclassical, with full arched openings marking the access to the equipment in the Upper Town, where the upper end 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 Elevador Hidráulico da Conceição da Praia. At the time, the lift consisted of two towers and two cabins, powered by a hydraulic system.
• The original structure was around 63 metres high and could carry up to 23 people at a time. Journeys lasted approximately 30 seconds.

3. Renaming and Expansions

• In 1896, the lift was renamed the Elevador Lacerda in honour of its creator, Antônio de Lacerda.
• Over the years, the Elevador Lacerda has undergone several modernisations and expansions to improve efficiency and increase capacity.
• The lift went through a series of renovations until it reached the current model. In 1906, it underwent its first renovation to widen its base and make it electrically powered.
• In 1930, the propulsion system was converted to electricity, making it faster and more reliable.
• In 1930, the lift also underwent a major renovation that included the construction of a new concrete tower in 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 transport capacity was increased from 32 to 128 people in a single journey.

3. Importance 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 City and the Upper City. This 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 view it offers of Todos-os-Santos Bay.
• Today, it is considered one of Salvador’s most visited tourist spots, attracting millions of national and international tourists who want to enjoy the view and learn a little more about the city’s history.
• The lift is also a cultural and historical symbol, representing the modernisation of Salvador and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bahians.

4. Curiosities

• The Lacerda Elevator is the first urban lift in the world and one of the greatest examples of vertical public transport from the 19th century.
• The Lacerda Elevator is the first urban lift in the world and one of the greatest examples of vertical public transport from the 19th century.
• With a total height of 72 metres, it transports approximately 900,000 passengers a month, making it one of the main means of getting between the Upper and Lower Towns.
• The journey time between the two parts of the city is around 20 to 30 minutes.
• The journey time between the two parts of the city is around 20 to 30 seconds.

5. Summary

The Lacerda Lift, inaugurated in 1873, 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 72 metres high, the lift connects the Upper Town to the Lower Town, playing a key role in the daily lives of Salvador’s residents and in 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.