Palaces in Salvador da Bahia have hosted royalty, carry great stories and currently have different functions.
Some palaces are used for wedding parties, others have become beautiful museums and some have an uncertain future.
Get to know the architecture and history of the Palaces
Palacio Rio Branco in Salvador
Rio Branco Palace becomes a hotel
Palacio da Sé or Archiepiscopal Palace of Salvador02:41
1. Palace of Acclamation
Considered one of the most significant museums in the city, it was once the residence of Miguel Francisco Rodrigues de Morais, a successful merchant from the city of Ponte de Lima in Portugal.
In 1912, the Palácio da Aclamação was transformed into the official residence of the governors of Bahia, undergoing expansion works designed by the Italian architect Filinto Santoro, and officially occupied by state managers between 1917 and 1967.
From that period onwards, the 1968th-century manor house has hosted the governor’s offices, and even hosted distinguished visitors such as the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, in XNUMX.
Regarded as one of the most significant city museums, was once the residence of Miguel Francisco Rodrigues de Morais, a successful merchant from the city of Ponte de Lima in Portugal.
In 1912, the Palácio da Aclamação was transformed into the official residence of the governors of Bahia, undergoing expansion works designed by the Italian architect Filinto Santoro, and officially occupied by state managers between 1917 and 1967.
From that period onwards, the 1968th-century manor house has hosted the governor’s offices, and even hosted distinguished visitors such as the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, in XNUMX.
In 1990, it became a museum and included in the space's collection, divided into two floors, furniture in the style of D. João I and Luiz XV, bronze, crystal and porcelain objects, Persian and French rugs, as well as paintings on walls and ceilings created by Bahian artist Presciliano Silva.
The palace has a monumental crystal, baccarat and bronze chandelier in the Noble Hall, a lobby with neoclassical decoration and the Banquet Hall. On the upper floor, there is a bedroom, breakfast room, chapel and pantry.
Currently, the museum is undergoing renovations and the exhibition spaces are closed for visitation.
However, some of its facilities promote literary releases, musical performances, socio-educational activities, short-term exhibitions and fairs. In addition, the space is also used for ceremonies such as weddings.
Visitation: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 13 pm to 19 pm (when open).
Address: Av. September 1330th, XNUMX – Campo Grande.
2. Rio Branco Palace
Together with the founding of city of Salvador, the primitive building was built in 1549 under the order of Tomé de Souza, with the aim of housing the seat of the Portuguese government.
The site served as a command center, residence and official dispatch of the great powers such as governors of Brazil and viceroys. In addition, it received members of Portuguese royalty such as Emperor D. Pedro I, Empress Leopoldina, Emperor D. Pedro II and Empress D. Tereza Christina.
In 1912, the simplest and first building was bombed during the Dutch attack and was left in ruins. In 1919, it was reopened in an eclectic architectural style, receiving its current name in honor of the Baron of Rio Branco.
Since then, the site has served as a barracks and prison. It housed the Pedro Calmon Foundation and now houses the Secretary of Culture of the State of Bahia, with a rich decoration and precious works of art.
The space also houses the Governors' Memorial, an important part of building the country's history.
And it is possible to find diplomas, letters, daggers, badges, swords, keys to cities, crystals, crockery, books, medals, photos and personal objects such as pens of these personalities, ashtrays and letter openers, all donated by family members.
Curiosities and Rarities of the Rio Branco Palace
Louis XV-style gilded furniture
Armchairs, coffee tables, sideboards, side tables, chairs and armchairs are still on display in the Main Hall
french crystal mirrors
Framed in plaster painted with gold leaf and French bevelled mirrors.
Pompeian Room
Sala Pompeana is the oldest, it survived the 1911 fire and the 1912 bombing – is a tribute to the civilization of Pompeii with frescoes and Canvases framed by a Greek bar – one of them is the mythological Bacchante – priestess of Bacchus.
movable property collection
1845 itens - Most are personal objects belonging to Bahian rulers, donated by their families. Of these 1845, only 46 pieces are in the inventory of movable assets of the Pedro Calmon Foundation. They are: 19 armchairs, 06 mirrors, 05 sideboards, 03 coffee tables, 02 wall paintings (one of them – O First Step to Independence - signed by Antônio Parreiras, 1930), 01 table and 10 chairs.
The Pedro Calmon Foundation was created in 1986 and its purpose is to collect, originate and disseminate the historical and documentary collection of the socio-political memory of Bahia.
Palácio Rio Branco will become a super luxury hotel.
The Memorial dos Governadores will be kept in its own room, in the Palácio Rio Branco hotel, under the custody of the Pedro Calmon Foundation, and that the other issues are being evaluated and will be disclosed when they receive the property.
3. Salvador's Archiepiscopal Palace or Sé Palace
Built in the XNUMXth century around a courtyard and located in the Historic Center of Salvador, the building is considered one of the best examples of civil architecture from the colonial period in the country. Also known as Palácio da Sé, initially, it had the function of being the residence of archbishops.
The property has three floors and four buildings. At the entrance, it is marked by a Portuguese lioz stone portal decorated with the coat of arms of D. Sebastião Monteiro da Vide, archbishop of Salvador at the time.
The influence of the architecture of the Italian Renaissance palaces in its interior is notable, with two superimposed galleries that give access to a central patio.
The palace housed the Administrative and Pastoral Center of the Catholic Church in Brazil for over 100 years and was reopened in December 2019 after the restoration of the property.
After the intervention of the Brazilian Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) in 1938, the space houses the Reference Center for the History of the Catholic Church in Brazil.
In addition to having its own collections and historical assets remaining from other religious buildings, it has a room at the Rector Eugênio Veiga Conservation and Restoration Laboratory (LEV), with a collection of more than 16 restored historical documents.
Address: Praça da Sé, 203-47 – Pelourinho, Salvador – BA, 40020-210
4. Santo Antônio Solar House-Museum
Although not named after the Palace, the exotic house is reminiscent of imperial styles. It has been turned into a museum and contains more than 4.000 pieces by Marchand artist Dimitri Ganzelevitch. Spacious and created in the XNUMXth century, the building is full of art, books and nature.
With a special terrace, which brings an incredible view of the Baía de Todos-os-Santos, the space has a limited collection, full of expressive importance and quality. It is also possible to stay, as the place works as a hotel.
Visitation: available by appointment (various days).
Address: R. Direita de Santo Antônio, 177 – Santo Antônio Além do Carmo.
5. Palace of Sports
Around 1806, after its construction, the Sports Palace represented a true revolution in the architectural style of buildings in the Americas.
After its founding, the site housed the Teatro São João, being the stage for events aimed at Bahian society, such as poetry recitals, public and political debates. Among the regulars, Ruy Barbosa, JJ Seabra and Otávio Mangabeira have already been there.
In 1923, the premises were consumed by fire during a fire. The current building, which was built in the 1930s in an art deco style, now houses the headquarters of the Secretary of Agriculture of the State. Later, it was baptized by the then governor ACM as Sports Palace and started to house sports federations.
Unfortunately or fortunately, the government of Bahia forwarded to the Legislative Assembly (Alba) the request for the alienation of the building baptized as Palácio dos Esportes, being destined to the implantation of a tourist enterprise, under the allegation that the financial value collected will be incorporated to the sources of the Treasury State.
Currently, the space houses the Municipal Department of Sports, with the purpose, in accordance with Decree No. 16.026, of formulating and executing sports, leisure and entertainment policies, seeking to integrate its actions with areas of culture, education, social assistance, health, peace promotion and others.
Visitation: Monday to Friday, from 09am to 19pm.
Address: Praça Castro Alves, 01 – Centro.
