Pelourinho (Salvador)

The Pelourinho, popularly called the Pelô, is the name of a neighborhood of Salvador, capital of Bahia state, Brazil. Is located in the historic city center in the area that covers only the streets ranging from Terreiro de Jesus to the Largo do Pelourinho, which has a colonial baroque architectural ensemble Portuguese preserved and member of the United Nations Heritage Educational, Science and Culture.

The word "pelourinho" refers to a stone column, usually located at the center of a square where criminals were exposed and punished. In colonial Brazil, however, it was mainly used to punish slaves.

Limited to the north with Pilar, San Antonio and Barbalho, south to See and Health in the west to the east and trade with Seven Doors, the Pelourinho is made up of narrow streets, enladeiradas and paving in cobblestones.

The history of Soteropolitano district is intimately linked to the history of the city itself, founded in 1549 by Tomé de Sousa, first governor-general of Brazil, who chose the place where is the Pelourinho for its strategic location - at the top, near the port and a natural barrier consisting of an abrupt elevation of the land, real wall of up to ninety meters high for fifteen kilometers, facilitating the defense of the city.

Only since the 1980s (with the recognition of the houses as World Heritage by UNESCO) and 1990s (with the revitalization of the region) is the Pelourinho became the it is today: a cultural effervescence center.

Restructuring and invigorates

From the early 1990s, the area was at the heart of the historic center revitalization process, with the expropriation of the residents for the installation of bars, shops, small businesses, schools and restoration of facades and buildings.

Today, the Pelourinho, located in the historic center of the city, is a large outdoor mall as it offers numerous artistic and musical attractions. There is a concentration of bars, restaurants, boutiques, museums, theaters, churches and other monuments of great historical value. Now is a revived and colorful Pelourinho, full of cultural activities and events, especially the Pelourinho at night. There are also group practices Olodum, every Sunday and Tuesday. The Ghandi Children also have practical there in the months before the carnival.

In Pelourinho, is the headquarters of several organizations such as:

Casa de Jorge Amado;

Grupo Gay da Bahia;

Institute of Artistic and Cultural Heritage (IPAC).