Praca Terreiro de Jesus
Praca Terreiro de Jesus
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
587 reviews
Excellent
268
Very good
235
Average
73
Poor
8
Terrible
3
MRC20132014
London, UK21 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
one of the few places in the pelourinho area that you can reach by taxi or uber as in most roads are closed for traffic. also easy to catch a taxi or uber from their.
within short walk from the main pelourinho area and elevador Lacerda. the square is surrounded by some fantastic colonial buildings and there are always some kind of local entertainment, ie. capoeira show, or some music, including drums.
within short walk from the main pelourinho area and elevador Lacerda. the square is surrounded by some fantastic colonial buildings and there are always some kind of local entertainment, ie. capoeira show, or some music, including drums.
Written August 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Jun 2019
In 1550, a little after the discovery of Brazil in 1500, Jesuit priests arrived in Salvador and immediately started building a small chapel and a college. The area occupied then by the "Society of Jesus" became soon known as "Terreiro de Jesus". Today it is certainly the gateway to Salvador's historical center, in the Upper City. This square was recently restored and is really unmissable. Visit the square and some of the most important churches of Salvador as the "Catedral Basílica", "Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Domingos Gusmão", "Igreja de São Pedro dos Clérigos" and "Igreja e Convento de São Francisco". The first School of Medicine in Brazil is also there. A beautiful fountain completes the scene. Enjoy!
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Luiz !
Thank you for your evaluation. Your opinion is important to improve our services. Check back often!
Salvador City Hall
Written August 22, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vincent M
New Orleans, LA2,256 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
The Praca Terreiro de Jesus is the hub of Pelourinho, the Cidade Alta, but comes with more than its fair share of name confusion. First, locals sometimes refer to it as the Praca de Se, Cathedral Square, but the praca next door already owns that name. Second, “Terreiro de Jesus” doesn’t refer to Jesus; instead, it refers to the land given to the Jesuits for their church and school: “the yard of the Society of Jesus.” And finally, the square’s official name is Praca XV do Novembro, though that is NEVER heard. If flighty Cariocas want to change a square’s name every time the wind shifts, from de Largo do Terreiro da Polé to Largo do Carmo to Praça do Carmo to Terreiro do Paço and Largo do Paço until it finally winds up as Praca XV do Novembro until further notice, let ‘em! Here in Salvador this square’s been Praca Terreiro de Jesus for going on half a millennium and it’s going to take more than some municipal bozo’s political decision for Bahians to call it anything else.
In addition to the Praca de Se on the far side of the cathedral, the Largo of St Francis’s Cross also adjoins the Terreiro de Jesus, and is effectively a panhandle extension of it to the SW. If you’re here to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s absolutely no reason to go out of your way to see this praca: you can’t avoid crossing it again and again. There are reasons to come here, of course, and both locals and tourists do. The large center of the praca is paved with calçada portuguesa, a mosaic pattern of white limestone and black basalt, but this one is showing signs of wear. Still it makes for a comfortable break compared to walking on Pelo’s cobblestones. The cathedral is on the NW corner, Sao Domingos Gusmao is on the SE corner, and Sao Pedro is two doors down the praca from that. Sao Francisco and the Ordem Terceira church are both at the end of the panhandle largo; the Misericordia and other attractions are down the adjacent Praca de Se. Virtually every cultural attraction in Pelourinho is within a ten-minute walk of the Terreiro de Jesus. There are some boutique hotels within a block or so, and although I was quite happy with my hotel further away, it would be awfully convenient to be lodged within a block of the Terreiro de Jesus.
A dozen or more caipirinha carts are clustered on the northern half of the plaza, plying their drinks. You can sit on a bright orange plastic chair under an umbrella and sip in the center of the plaza. Some venders use cachaça that has been carefully aged in oak barrels for 10, 12, or even 16 days; but unfortunately the others use cheap stuff. After the sun sets, this is a major meeting point for locals, and the caipirinha vendors do a land office business; to ensure nothing gets out of hand, a large contingent of Police Militar is stationed on the praca at night. Locate the wagon with the biggest mob of locals surrounding it, and that’s generally the one serving the best caipirinhas. Vacant chairs are rare during prime time at night; best to arrive in the early evening. With luck, you might be able to sit on the cathedral steps and mingle with the locals.
Personally, I think you’re better off going to a restaurant bar or café: there are half a dozen of them around the perimeter of the square, another half dozen on the panhandle largo, and more than a dozen within a block or two NE of the square on Alfredo do Brito and Joao de Deus. For great music, I particularly recommend the Cantina da Lua right on the square, and have reviewed that separately for TA.
In addition to the Praca de Se on the far side of the cathedral, the Largo of St Francis’s Cross also adjoins the Terreiro de Jesus, and is effectively a panhandle extension of it to the SW. If you’re here to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s absolutely no reason to go out of your way to see this praca: you can’t avoid crossing it again and again. There are reasons to come here, of course, and both locals and tourists do. The large center of the praca is paved with calçada portuguesa, a mosaic pattern of white limestone and black basalt, but this one is showing signs of wear. Still it makes for a comfortable break compared to walking on Pelo’s cobblestones. The cathedral is on the NW corner, Sao Domingos Gusmao is on the SE corner, and Sao Pedro is two doors down the praca from that. Sao Francisco and the Ordem Terceira church are both at the end of the panhandle largo; the Misericordia and other attractions are down the adjacent Praca de Se. Virtually every cultural attraction in Pelourinho is within a ten-minute walk of the Terreiro de Jesus. There are some boutique hotels within a block or so, and although I was quite happy with my hotel further away, it would be awfully convenient to be lodged within a block of the Terreiro de Jesus.
A dozen or more caipirinha carts are clustered on the northern half of the plaza, plying their drinks. You can sit on a bright orange plastic chair under an umbrella and sip in the center of the plaza. Some venders use cachaça that has been carefully aged in oak barrels for 10, 12, or even 16 days; but unfortunately the others use cheap stuff. After the sun sets, this is a major meeting point for locals, and the caipirinha vendors do a land office business; to ensure nothing gets out of hand, a large contingent of Police Militar is stationed on the praca at night. Locate the wagon with the biggest mob of locals surrounding it, and that’s generally the one serving the best caipirinhas. Vacant chairs are rare during prime time at night; best to arrive in the early evening. With luck, you might be able to sit on the cathedral steps and mingle with the locals.
Personally, I think you’re better off going to a restaurant bar or café: there are half a dozen of them around the perimeter of the square, another half dozen on the panhandle largo, and more than a dozen within a block or two NE of the square on Alfredo do Brito and Joao de Deus. For great music, I particularly recommend the Cantina da Lua right on the square, and have reviewed that separately for TA.
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jorge c
Buenos Aires, Argentina19,719 contributions
Aug 2019
This is the starting and meeting point of most visits to Pelourinho in Salvador.
The square itself has nothing remarkable, but the building around it are just full of history, beautiful architecture and culture.
Be aware of pickpockteres at all times, specially when really busy or crowded.
The square itself has nothing remarkable, but the building around it are just full of history, beautiful architecture and culture.
Be aware of pickpockteres at all times, specially when really busy or crowded.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Jorge
Thanks for the comment.
We are working to make our services even better.
We will await your return.
Prefeitura Municipal de Salvador
Written February 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia21,219 contributions
Nov 2022
This large square is the historic centre of the city with an ornate fountain as its centre piece and the Cathedral of Salvador at one end, it is also surrounded by lovely colourful buildings.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,072 contributions
Nov 2020
This square is the center of the historical area of Salvador and from here you can cover the streets of the old town.The square is not that interrsting but the various buildings around compensate.
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,714 contributions
Feb 2020
This old town square is the center of old Salvador. It is surrounded by beautiful buildings and restaurants and is filled with lots of tourist stalls selling food, drink and souvenirs.
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigheff
Leeds, UK66 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
According to Trip Advisor map location this is 4.8km from Itapua. It is NOT. It's miles away on the other side of Salvador
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Bigher
Thanks for the comment.
We were disappointed by the contextless information you received.
The distance is approximately 30 km.
We are working to improve our services.
Prefeitura Municipal de Salvador
Written February 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,072 contributions
Nov 2019
This square is the center of the historical area of Salvador and from here you can cover the streets of the old town.The square is not that interrsting but the various buildings around compensate.
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Oldjack
Thanks so much for the comment, we are happy for your experience.
Check back often!
Prefeitura municipal de Salvador
Written November 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lotuszen52
France72 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Not to be missed because of the history. During Carnaval, it was very lively. With our guide, Luciano, we learned a lot. Very enjoyable.
Written February 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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