Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, Salvador, Brazil Verified listing

Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, Salvador, Brazil

The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador officially honors the Transfiguration of Christ. Moreover, people call it the Primatial Cathedral Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The cathedral houses the seat of the Archbishop of Salvador, the capital city of Bahia state in Brazil. Additionally, the Archbishop holds the title Primate of Brazil, which emphasizes the cathedral’s national importance. Jesuit priests originally built the structure as part of a large monastic and educational complex. The current church stands on that site, and the clergy consecrated it in 1654. However, when the Brazilian government expelled the Jesuits in 1759, the Archbishopric of Bahia took over managing the school and church.

Later, in 1933, Archbishop Augusto Álvaro da Silva ordered the demolition of the old Salvador cathedral to build a tram line. At the same time, he elevated the existing Jesuit church to basilica status. Therefore, this change increased the church’s importance within the Catholic hierarchy. Architecturally, the cathedral ranks as one of the finest examples of Mannerism in the Portuguese empire. In fact, it closely resembles the Jesuit Church of Coimbra in Portugal. Furthermore, the builders used Lioz stone imported from Portugal for the façade and other parts, which adds to its beauty. Inside, the cathedral includes a large nave, decorated Baroque-style side altars, a sacristy, a library, and an ossuary.

The cathedral overlooks the wide plaza called Terreiro de Jesus. To the south, it borders the broad Praça da Sé. Behind it lies the stunning Bay of All Saints. Because of this location, the cathedral serves as a focal point in the Historic Center of Salvador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consequently, many visitors and worshippers come to admire its rich history and stunning architecture.

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