Vera Cruz, Municipal district on Itaparica Island, Brazil
Vera Cruz covers about 87 percent of Itaparica Island, situated across the Bay of All Saints roughly 5.5 kilometers from Salvador. The area connects by water to the state capital and contains multiple settlements with both historical and modern structures.
A Portuguese explorer reached the island in 1510 and married the daughter of a local chief, initiating early contact between Europeans and indigenous inhabitants. Over the following centuries, different powers occupied the region and shaped its development.
The municipality preserves several colonial-era buildings, including the Chapel of Saint Antony of Velásquez and the Parish Church of Santo Amaro. These structures shape the character of the settlements today and reveal how religious sites have organized community life across generations.
The municipality is accessible by boat or ferry from Salvador, providing a straightforward water connection to the coast. Visitors should expect warm, humid weather and rely on local transportation or taxis to explore the various settlements.
The region hosted water works built by Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century, which rank among Brazil's earliest hydraulic structures. It also endured Dutch occupation for several decades, an experience that left lasting marks on its cultural and economic life.
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