Isle of the Friars, Island in Bay of All Saints, Salvador, Brazil.
Isle of the Friars is an island in the Bay of All Saints near Salvador with an unusual star-shaped form. The land is covered with tropical forest and marked by historical buildings.
The island's name comes from two monks who were killed by Tupinambá people during early colonial times. These tragic events shaped the location's history during the first decades of Portuguese settlement.
The chapel and church on the island date to the 18th century and reflect colonial religious architecture that shaped this place. You can still see these structures and understand how significant this location was for people's spiritual life.
You can reach the island by boat from Madre de Deus or by private boat from Salvador. Plan time for the crossing and check weather conditions beforehand, as the bay varies by season.
The island was once a quarantine station with a lazaretto where enslaved people were held before being sent away to Salvador. This dark part of the island's past often goes unnoticed by visitors, yet it deeply shaped what this place became.
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