Considered the country's cultural capital because of its effervescence and its role in diffusing different artistic expressions, Salvador is famous for its history as well as for the cultural and religious legacy born from the miscegenation of Indian, African and Portuguese populations. Still, its cultural manifestations go far beyond the city's contagious music and rhythm, (consecrated by different artists, whose recognition goes beyond the country's borders), the most famous Carnival of the world, its parties, and popular and religious dances. The city stages, during the whole year, numerous cultural and artistic events: shows, exhibitions, theater plays and dance spectacles of the most varied styles, indicating the effervescence of its local culture and stimulating the entertainment and tourism.

Salvador has many theaters, the most important are Castro Alves Theater (with large capacity), Gregório de Matos Theater and Vila Velha Theater. It also offers numerous spectacle halls, two large movie theaters each made of by 10 rooms each, many medium sized movie theaters and smaller cinemas.

The city also offers numerous museums, such as the Museu de Arte Sacra (Holy Art Museum) - which gathers the largest collection of religious art in the country, with sculptures, paintings, silverware, painted glazed tiles, carved wood and gold artifacts - the Modern Art Museum (Museu de Arte Moderna) and the Carlos Costa Pinto Museum, as well as other museums belonging to churches and monasteries, with rare holdings of religious artifacts.

In literature, Jorge Amado, a writer who gained international acclaim, is the most distinguished figure (official registers point out that his work has been translated into 48 languages). For those interested in knowing a little more about Jorge Amado´s work, a visit to the foundation "Casa Jorge Amado", located in the center of Pelourinho, is worthwhile.

In regards to higher education, there are several options. The Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), the State University of Bahia (UNEB), the Catholic University of Salvador (UCSAL) and the University of Salvador (UNIFACS) are among the most important universities in the capital. They all offer undergraduate and graduate courses, master degrees and Phds in several areas of knowledge and have an excellent infrastructure of libraries, laboratories, and computer equipments, as well as research programs, scientific initiation programs and scholarship programs for students. Regarding high school education, there are 15 large high schools in the city.

Salvador is also considered the country's religious capital: there are hundreds of catholic churches in the city (some with more than two centuries of history) and several temples of other religions. The churches are beautiful constructions, mighty and rich - the famous São Francisco Church, for example, is carved in gold and the Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia Church has Portuguese marbles on its façade. The Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos Church, built by a brotherhood uniquely formed by Africans and their descendants and the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church are also famous.

Those interested in visiting other monuments of religious architecture in Salvador should also visit the convent and the siege of the Terceira Irmandade do Carmo, the São Francisco Convent and Church, the Ordem Terceira do São Francisco, the Basilica Cathedral, the first Jesuit School, the Church and Holy House of Mercy, the São Bento Church and Monastery, the Cruz do Pascoal Oratory, the Santa Teresa Church and Convent and the ensemble of the Santo Antônio da Barra Church.

In architecture, the fortresses that surround the city also stand out, they are historic landmarks of past centuries. For example, because of its harmonious form, the Nossa Senhora do Mont-Serrat Fortress is considered the most precious jewel of Brazilian military architecture. Completed in 1742, with a battery of nine cannons, its history tells us about heroic episodes during the colony's resistance against the Dutch invaders in 1624 and 1638. From this fortress, there is a wonderful view of the entrance of the All Saint's Bay.

In the Historic Center one can not miss visiting Casa dos Sete Candeeiros (the house where 19^th century poet Castro Alves lived), the Solar do Ferrão (an old manor house), the Rio Branco Palace, the Archiepiscopal Palace and the Aclamação Palace. The Rio Branco Palace, although not officially registered as a historic landmark, is one of the most important buildings of the city. It was constructed in the Municipal Square, the first of Salvador, there resided the general governors, vice-roys and provincial presidents.

The city's colonial architecture, specially the Historic Center of Salvador, where Pelourinho is located, presents more than a thousand buildings: two-story colonial houses called 'sobrados', small palaces, churches and convents. The Pelourinho is considered a National Historic Patrimony and is protected by UNESCO as Patrimony of Humanity and it presents an intense cultural activity, day and night, through its hills filled with bars, restaurants, cultural spaces, libraries, small hotels, ateliers, art galleries and folk art centers.

Those interested in handicrafts may easily find a great diversity of artifacts and folk art in the Historic Center and specially, in the Modelo Market. Beautiful objects reveal the creativity and diversity of Afro-Brazilian culture. One can find objects made with diverse materials - such as wood, leather, lace, weaving, silver, metal, braided work, tapestry, embroidery and stone-cutting - originating in all the regions of the State.

One cannot forget to mention the local cuisine as a strong expression of the Bahian culture. Inherited from a mixture of Indian, Portuguese and African ingredients, dishes from Bahia are spicy, colorful and aromatic. Several delicacies can be found on the open-air trays of Bahian women, typically dressed with their long skirts, turbans and bead necklaces.

In the restaurants of Salvador, visitors may find tasty typical dishes, including delicious seafood entrees. One can also savor numerous tropical fruit, coconut sweets called 'cocadas', deserts made with fruits of the season or other delicious ones made with eggs, coconut and milk and originating from Portugal.