Short History of Pelourinho

• It has been said that Pelourinho is the historical center of Bahia or even Brazil. The history of Bahia, dating back to the early 15oo's, started in Salvador and the history of Salvador started in Pelourinho. Pelourinho means "place to lash the slavors". It is the first port Portuguese trans-atlantic slave ships arrived. It is also where African slaves were sold and criminals were publicly beaten. It was the residential district to the upper class of Salvador up until 1855, when a cholera epidemic forced everyone to other neighborhoods. Soon the property owners started renting it cheap to anyone, mostly hookers, drug addicts, crooks, etc. This lasted until 1974, when a governmental project started investing in the area as a tourist attraction. It took 20 years before it was "tourist friendly". I was also told that the cobblestone streets were layed by slaves because "royalty" would not let their feet touch dirt. Pelourinho is now home to many artists, musicians, museums, and a host of restaurants.