Location

The discovery coast
Porto Seguro means Safe Port and it was the site of the first landing of Portuguese sailors under the command of Pedro Alvares Cabral when he discovered Brazil in 1500

Arraial D’Ajuda began, like most Jesuit villages typical of sixteenth century Brazil, with the construction of the church. The Arraial de Nossa Senhora church was a tribute to Thomas de Souza and the first Jesuits who landed in 1549, with their 3 ships: Conceição, Salvador and Ajuda, which would become the names of their first cities and churches. The church hosted Brazil’s first festival and today still receives around 15 thousand pilgrims from Bahia and beyond, who arrive during the 7th to the 15th of August, to fulfill promises, make wishes and give thanks..

The village of Arraial D’Ajuda still retains its original charm and character, with cobble-stone streets, pedestrian walkways, squares with local artists and dancers and numerous open-air bars and restaurants.
Arraial D’Ajuda is a ferry ride from neighboring Porto Seguro, which has an airport receiving flights from major Brazilian cities.
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