Capoeira and History in Salvador, Bahia
Dec.3, 2011
One of the top attractions in Salvador, Terreiro de Jesus condenses Bahia's melding of religions and cultures in its name, history and uses. The square in the Graça district, lined with colonial houses, is the site of the Afro-Brazilian Museum, of a 17th century Jesuit church - the city's Cathedral Basilica - and churches dedicated to St. Dominic and St. Peter.
However, the square is also a capoeira central.
Local groups of capoeira de rua (street capoeira) practice to the sound of the berimbau. Some have regular appointed times - Friday nights have traditionally been a time for capoeira gatherings on the square.
A striking attraction of the square is the 19th-century cast iron fountain with a Carrara marble base. The fountain is topped by a statue of goddess Ceres, and has representations of two men and two women representing major Bahia rivers (Jequitinhonha, Paraguaçu, Pardo and São Francisco).
Next to Terreiro de Jesus, a largo in front of the St. Francis church and convent has a self-standing cross (cruzeiro) dating back to the early 19th century.
One of the top attractions in Salvador, Terreiro de Jesus condenses Bahia's melding of religions and cultures in its name, history and uses. The square in the Graça district, lined with colonial houses, is the site of the Afro-Brazilian Museum, of a 17th century Jesuit church - the city's Cathedral Basilica - and churches dedicated to St. Dominic and St. Peter.
However, the square is also a capoeira central.
Local groups of capoeira de rua (street capoeira) practice to the sound of the berimbau. Some have regular appointed times - Friday nights have traditionally been a time for capoeira gatherings on the square.
A striking attraction of the square is the 19th-century cast iron fountain with a Carrara marble base. The fountain is topped by a statue of goddess Ceres, and has representations of two men and two women representing major Bahia rivers (Jequitinhonha, Paraguaçu, Pardo and São Francisco).
Next to Terreiro de Jesus, a largo in front of the St. Francis church and convent has a self-standing cross (cruzeiro) dating back to the early 19th century.
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