Cathedral Basilica of Salvador — History, Sacred Art and Collection

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The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador is located in the heart of Pelourinho and is one of the most important sacred buildings in colonial Brazil.

As well as bearing witness to the country’s history and Catholicism, the temple houses 17^(th)-century paintings, rosewood furniture and sacred gold and silver objects.

Catedral Basílica de Salvador, Bahia — The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador in Bahia.

Catedral Basílica de Salvador - “Apesar de ter sido construída durante o período barroco, a arquitetura da Catedral tem um estilo geral maneirista … o interior é de pedra de lioz importada de Portugal expressamente para a construção”. Opinião de uma arquiteta das obras, que se percebe influências indígenas e até orientais, e que além do estilo barroco, há também o rococó, o neoclássico, especificando que cada retábulo tem um estilo diferente. — Salvador Cathedral Basilica “Although it was built during the Baroque period, the cathedral’s architecture has a general Mannerist style. The interior is made of lioz stone, which was imported from Portugal specifically for its construction.” An architect involved in the construction notes indigenous and even oriental influences, as well as Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical elements. He specifies that each altarpiece has a different style.

A única nave possui uma capela-mor ladeada de duas pequenas capelas, mais duas capelas no transepto e outras ao longo da nave - Catedral Basílica de Salvador. — The single-naved Cathedral Basilica of Salvador has a chancel flanked by two small chapels, plus two more in the transept and others along the nave.

history and architecture

The current church, built by the Jesuits between 1652 and 1672, was the fourth temple of the order in the capital of Bahia and is the last remaining part of the Colégio de Jesus complex. Attributed to Brother Francisco Dias, the work follows the norms of the Council of Trent and features Renaissance and Baroque elements.

Main construction period: 1657–1672. The frontispiece and towers were completed in 1694.
The façade is made of Lioz stone, which was imported from Portugal. It features niches dedicated to Jesuit saints.
It has a single-nave layout with side chapels, various altars and gilded wood carvings, as well as lioz marble cladding.

Transformation and protection

Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1759, the building was converted into a military hospital and became home to Brazil’s first School of Medicine in 1833. In 1938, the church was listed by IPHAN and its collection was also protected.

Video: The history and colonial architecture of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

Catedral Basílica de Salvador

Also see all the churches in Salvador, Bahia.

The main elements and collection of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

1. Altar Mother

Dating from 1665–1670 and created by Brother João Correia and his assistants, it is one of the few Mannerist carvings in Brazil and is richly gilded. In 1670, an upper dressing room was opened featuring panels depicting Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier, painted by Domingos Rodrigues.

Altar-mor da Catedral Basílica de Salvador BA — The high altar of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador in Bahia.

92 cabeças de anjos estão encravadas nas paredes de ouro - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador has 92 angel heads embedded in its golden walls.

Em 1746 foi instalada uma imagem de Cristo Salvador em um nicho sobre o arco do cruzeiro - Catedral Basílica de Salvador. — In 1746, an image of Christ the Saviour was placed in a niche above the transept arch in the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

2. Teto da nave

It is decorated with carved Jesuit symbols. In the centre is a large, radiant medallion bearing the monogram IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator).

Teto da Nave - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — The ceiling of the nave of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

Medalhão radiante com o monograma IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator – Jesus Salvador dos Homens), o símbolo da Companhia de Jesus. Teto da Nave - Catedral Basílica de Salvador. — A radiant medallion bearing the monogram IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator, meaning ‘Jesus, Saviour of Men’), which is the symbol of the Society of Jesus. This is the ceiling of the nave of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

3. Side altars

Even though the background has been altered, the chapel to the right of the high altar (now Nossa Senhora das Dores) still has its carvings and statues.

To the left is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, which contains artefacts from the old cathedral, including a diamond-encrusted reliquary, credence tables, and silver palms. The chapels in the transept contain monumental Baroque altars (1754) dedicated to St Francis Xavier and St Ignatius.

Altares Laterias - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — Side altars – Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

Capela do lado direito do altar-mor - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — The chapel is located on the right side of the high altar in the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

Altar do Santíssimo Sacramento - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — Altar of the Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

Duas capelas do transepto - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — There are two chapels in the transept of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

Capela do transepto - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — transept chapel

Obras de arte sacra - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — sacred artworks

Santa Úrsula - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — Saint Ursula

4. Reliquary Busts

Each of the two altars displays fifteen niches containing reliquary busts — 17^(th)-century terracotta pieces representing martyrs — which have been returned to the temple after a period in the Museum of Sacred Art of Bahia.

Bustos relicários - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — reliquary busts

5. Sacristy and baptistery.

The baptistery contains a basin that has been carved from a single block of Lioz stone.

The spacious sacristy contains three Baroque altars made from multicoloured Italian marble, as well as statues, large paintings and a rosewood chest with ivory and tortoiseshell inlays. This chest was carved by Luís Manuel de Matosinhos and Cristóvão de Aguiar.

The furniture is adorned with paintings by Gherardo delle Notti, and the coffered ceiling features Jesuit martyrs and apostles. Portuguese tiles cover the walls halfway up.

Altar barroco de mármore multicolorido proveniente da Itália - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — A Baroque altar made from multicoloured Italian marble.

Sacristia - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — sacristy

Pedra de lioz - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — lizard stone

Altar barroco de mármore multicolorido proveniente da Itália — A Baroque altar made from multicoloured Italian marble.

Na parede sobre o arcaz existe uma série de grandes pinturas sobre o Antigo Testamento - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — A series of large paintings depicting scenes from the Old Testament adorn the wall above the chest.

O teto é decorado com pintura em caixotões, mostrando mártires e apóstolos jesuítas junto com motivos florais em estilo maneirista - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — The ceiling is adorned with a Mannerist-style painting of Jesuit martyrs and apostles alongside floral motifs.

A Catedral e todo o seu acervo foram tombados pelo Iphan em 1938 pela sua grande importância histórica e artística - Catedral Basílica de Salvador — Due to their great historical and artistic importance, the Cathedral and its entire collection were listed by IPHAN in 1938.

6. Interior details

The cathedral houses paintings attributed to Jesuits, such as Domingos Rodrigues, as well as Baroque sculptures and relics. These include a silver-coated reliquary bust of Saint Ignatius, a silver image of Our Lady of Marvels and busts of Saint Ursula and other saints.

Over time, various items have been transferred to the Museum of Sacred Art.

Detalhes dos altares e o interior da Catedral Basílica de Salvador BA — interior details

Detalhes do interior da Catedral Basílica de Salvador BA — interior details

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 31/12/2025 · Updated on 28/03/2026