Praça da Sé, Public square in the Historic Center of Salvador, Brazil
Praça da Sé is a public square in the Historic Center of Salvador, created in the 1930s after the demolition of the old cathedral and colonial buildings. It now serves as a central meeting point, surrounded by landmarks such as the Memorial das Baianas, the Palácio da Sé, and the Energy Museum, and features monuments like those to Zumbi dos Palmares and Pero Fernandes Sardinha.
The square appeared in the 1930s when the old cathedral and several colonial buildings were torn down. In the 1950s it served as a bus terminal until the Lapa Terminal was built, and later it became part of the Historic Center.
The square's name comes from the old cathedral that once stood here, and today it is a gathering place where locals pass through on their way to nearby landmarks. The Memorial das Baianas, dedicated to the women who sell traditional food, offers a glimpse into local traditions.
The square is easy to reach on foot from nearby sights like Terreiro de Jesus and Cruz Caída, and the Gonçalves Inclined Plane connects it to the Lower Town. Visit during the day when the area is busiest, and wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven pavement.
The square sits on the site of Salvador's first parish, created in 1552, and its name still recalls the cathedral that was lost. A small inclined plane nearby, the Gonçalves, offers a quick link between the Upper and Lower Towns.
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