São Bartolomeu Park, Nature reserve and sacred grove in Salvador, Brazil.
São Bartolomeu Park is a nature reserve in Salvador that spans about 75 hectares with four waterfalls, mangrove forests, and remaining Atlantic Forest vegetation. The space sits near the Copper River and a dam built in 1932 that stopped operating in 2006.
The area became a battlefield during the Battle of Pirajá in 1823, a turning point in Brazil's independence struggle against Portugal. This event gave the location lasting significance as a place of resistance and freedom.
Different religious communities gather here to perform rituals at waterfalls and specific stone formations tied to African deities, making the space a living spiritual center. These practices shape how people move through and experience the park today.
The visitor center at the entrance is located on Suburbana Avenue and provides free parking for guests. Guided walks start regularly, so it is practical to check ahead for exact times that work with your visit.
The Copper River Dam was built to supply water to the city but lost importance as new systems took over the role. The inactive structure now sits within the park landscape, showing how human infrastructure becomes part of nature over time.
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