Valença is the largest city in the so-called ‘Costa do Dendê’ region, which stretches from Cairu to Valença itself.

Valença is a city in the state of Bahia. It is the seat of the municipality of Valença and has a rich history linked to the textile industry, fishing and tourism, as well as being the main access to the island of Tinharé, where Morro de São Paulo is located.

Valença, the natural route to the popular Morro de São Paulo, is a river port and an important commercial centre, supplying Cairu, Camamu and other towns in the region.

The town is the main starting point for visiting Morro de São Paulo. Many visitors leave their cars near the pier and take a boat to Tinharé Island.

Another option is to take the road to the Guaibim mooring, 14 km from the centre, where boats leave for Morro de São Paulo.

The best inns in Valença are located on Guaibim beach. However, the best beaches are Barra do Jiquiriçá and Ponta do Garcez.

Its streets and squares have buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. If you walk around the town and look at the old houses, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The town began to develop late and was only promoted to a village in 1789, when it was renamed Nova Valença.

It was the first town in Bahia to have an industry: the Todos os Santos Fabric Factory, inaugurated in 1844.

Its inhabitants, along with those of Cachoeira and Santo Amaro, took part in the War of Independence in 1823, which earned the town the title of ‘The Decider’.

It was in Valença that Lord Cochrane, hired by the Brazilian government to fight the Portuguese fleet, docked his ships.

The city also came to prominence during World War II, when German submarines sank two Brazilian ships in its vicinity.

The rescued survivors were taken to Valença, where they received medical care, a fact that once again earned it a special name, this time ‘A Hospitaleira’ (The Hospitable One), which still prevails today, as the local population is used to welcoming visitors.

Today, Valença ‘s economy is based on the production of cloves, pepper, coconut and palm oil, fishing and the profitable breeding of shrimp in captivity. Its shipyards, still handmade, preserve 17th century techniques.

One of them produced a replica of the ship Nina, one of Christopher Columbus’s vessels, used in Ridley Scott‘s film 1492.

Tourism is being revitalised in the town, which has a good hotel park.

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Tourist attractions in Valença, Bahia

1. Nossa Senhora do Amparo Church

Those arriving by boat on the Una River can see the church at the top of the hill.

Its interior, lined with Portuguese tiles, has images and paintings from the 18th century and neoclassical altars in white and gold carvings.

Our Lady of Amparo is the patron saint of labourers. The church in her honour began to be built soon after the Fabric Factory was set up.

2. Mother Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The neoclassical church, which has precious images from the 18th and 19th centuries, was completed in 1801.

3. City Council

The 1849 mansion was the residence of Comendador Sena Madureira, one of the owners of the Nossa Senhora do Amparo textile factory.

After his death, it was sold to the municipality. Successive renovations and restorations have endeavoured to preserve the lines of the building, which retains its original floors, a garden with a fountain and an old bench with a tiled back.

The building has portraits and furniture donated by the Sena Madureira family.

4. Forum

The 18th century building, which was the residence of Republic Councillor Zacarias de Góes e Vasconcelos, is now the seat of the Valença Forum.

5. Municipal Theatre

The wealth generated by the textile and fishing industries at the beginning of the 20th century demanded a cultural space compatible with this prosperity.

Thus, in 1910, the Municipal Theatre was built, which is part of the group of historic buildings in Praça da República, which is still in operation today.

6. Ruins of the Fabric Factory

In imperial times, the Todos os Santos Textile Factory, on the banks of the Una River, was the most important weaving factory in the country.

It was the first in Brazil to use hydraulic energy: the old water wheels that moved the machines were later replaced by hydroelectric turbines.

The factory employed 300 workers, a high number for the time, but due to the market crisis at the end of the 19th century, it found itself on the verge of bankruptcy.

Incorporated by Fábrica de Tecidos Nossa Senhora do Amparo, it now operates under the name Valença Têxtil, at a different address.

7. Sarapuí rapids

There are seven rapids in all, a challenge for rafting enthusiasts. The largest of the falls is the Andorinha Waterfall.

8. Guaibim Beach

The district of Guaibim, which belongs to the municipality of Valença in Bahia, has approximately 20 kilometres of beaches along its coastline.

In addition to all its cultural and historical riches, the municipality of Valença also has Guaibim Beach, a tourist area known for its sea which is favourable for surfing, due to its strong waves.

Fringed by coconut palms and remnants of native forests, the beach is 17 km from the city centre. It can be reached by car via the BA-001 motorway.

Those who prefer can also take a bus from the town centre.

In the Guaibim region, to the south, is Praia do Curral. The region is suitable for sunbathers looking for more tranquillity, but the characteristics of the sea are the same.

Some have tourist infrastructure, such as Guaibizinho, Guaibim and Taquary, while others, practically untouched, are favoured by those who want to walk along long stretches of sand.

The town, which has an anchorage, attracts both water sports enthusiasts and visitors who just want to take a ride on a schooner. Guaibim hosts surfing championships.

9. Ponta do Curral

On this beautiful deserted beach, where sea turtles lay their eggs and which is located in an APA (Environmental Protection Area), the first cattle arrived in 1557.

The existing corral gave rise to the place’s name. In the village of Guaibim, local guides provide ecological transport (cart pulled by a tractor) to Ponta do Curral.

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide to Bahia and Salvador.

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