Sea Fort
Out in the bay.
Guga Marques — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Antenor Gavazza — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Inacioszabo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Turismo Bahia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Paul R. Burley — CC BY-SA 4.0
Forte de São Marcelo, known locally as the «Sea Fort», stands on a reef bank about 300 metres off the Salvador waterfront in the Bay of All Saints. It is the only circular fort in Brazil, modelled on Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome and the Bugio fort in Portugal. Building began in 1608 and ended in 1623, and it was the first place the Dutch seized when they took Salvador in 1624, using it to fire on the city. It was rebuilt after 1650, and a perimeter wall was added in 1728. The fort has been closed to visitors since 2011. Its management has passed to the Bahia state government, which has 24 months to reopen it, with no date set yet. It is best seen from the lower city near the Mercado Modelo, or from the tour boats that leave from there and come close without landing.
Out in the bay.
A close view.
By the Mercado Modelo.
Bay of All Saints, off the Mercado Modelo, Salvador
Mercado ModeloMercado Modelo is Salvador's best-known handicraft market, in the Lower City at 7 minutes walk4.3
Elevador LacerdaThe Elevador Lacerda is a public lift 72 metres high that links Salvador's Upper9 minutes walk4.4
Pelourinho (Historic Centre of Salvador)Pelourinho is the historic centre of Salvador, Brazil's first capital from 1549 12 minutes walk
Solar do Unhão and MAM-BASolar do Unhão is a colonial complex on the shore of the Bay of All Saints in Sa17 minutes walk4.8
Forte de Santo Antônio Além do Carmo (Forte da Capoeira)The Fort of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo, known today as the Forte da Capoeira, g22 minutes walk4.5No, it has been closed since 2011 pending restoration; see it from the shore or from boats, which do not land.