Palace of Saldanha

The Palace of Saldanha is a two-story manor house in Salvador featuring a monumental stone entrance with elaborately carved columns and floral ornamentation. The facade displays characteristic Portuguese colonial architectural elements throughout its structure.

A colonel acquired multiple properties from the Carmelite Order in the late 1600s to build this residence. The building later came under the ownership of Dom Manoel Saldanha da Gama.

The building reflects Portuguese colonial design through how its spaces were organized for different purposes. The family occupied the upper floors while servants and service areas remained below, a common arrangement in homes of that era.

The building now houses an arts and crafts school and is accessible following comprehensive restoration. It was rebuilt in 1992 after a major fire in 1968, demonstrating successful preservation efforts.

The entrance displays expertly decorated details featuring figure sculptures that resemble design elements found in Lisbon manor houses from the same period. These decorative choices reflect connections to the Portuguese capital.