This post is also on:
Português 
English
The sinking of the Galleon Sacramento took place in 1668 off the coast of Salvador, Bahia, and is one of the most famous nautical events in the maritime history of colonial Brazil.
Salvador is home to some of the oldest fortifications and lighthouses on the American continent, such as Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra or Barra Lighthouse, one of the city’s main postcards.
Dating back to 1534, even before the foundation of Brazil’s first capital in 1549, what we know today as Farol da Barra began as a wooden construction called Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra.
The lighthouse at Santo Antônio da Barra Fort was installed in 1698 in response to the sinking of the Galleon Sacramento, a ship carrying General Francisco Correia da Silva. Correia da Silva, who was to become governor, died in the disaster.
Video – Shipwreck of the Galleon Sacramento
Instalação do farol no Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra
Naufrágio do Galeão Sacramento em Salvador BA08:16
History of the wreck of the Galleon Sacramento
Departure from the Tejo: The Galeão Sacramento left the Tagus as captain of a fleet of 50 merchant vessels belonging to the Companhia Geral do Comércio do Brasil. On board was João Corrêa da Silva and his entourage, destined to take over the government of Bahia.
Shipwreck: Near the Todos os Santos Bay, the galleon encountered strong winds that made it impossible to manoeuvre, resulting in its collision with the Banco de Santo Antônio. After drifting for around five hours, the galleon sank around 11pm on 5 May 1668.
Consequences: The tragedy highlighted the urgent need to improve maritime signalling at the entrance to Todos os Santos Bay. Brazil’s growing importance on trade routes and the consolidation of Salvador as the main South Atlantic port led to the installation of a lighthouse. This lighthouse was initially associated with a French-made fort.
The shipwreck caused great fear and accelerated decisions by the Governor of the Province of Bahia to improve the signalling of the bar. This event also fuelled the construction of forts along the Brazilian coast to protect navigation and trade.
Barra Lighthouse: The popular Barra Lighthouse was established to guide sailors and ensure safety at the entrance to the bay. Today, as well as serving as a signalling device for boats, the lighthouse houses a nautical museum. This museum exhibits archaeological finds from shipwrecks off the coast of Bahia, including items from the Galeão Sacramento, as well as old navigational instruments that illustrate part of Brazil’s maritime history.
Bairro da Barra: The neighbourhood that sprang up around the Farol da Barra is one of the most visited and considered noble in Salvador, reflecting the historical and cultural importance of the area.
The sinking of the Galeão Sacramento and the subsequent installation of the Barra Lighthouse are important milestones in the history of navigation and urban development in Salvador.
Bahia.ws – Tourist Guide to Salvador, Bahia and the Northeast
