Tools and jewellery
African crafts.
Wellington Da Costa Gomez — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wellington Da Costa Gomez — CC BY-SA 4.0 · enioprado — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Public domain · Paul R. Burley — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sailko — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Afro-Brazilian Museum, «MAFRO», belongs to the Federal University of Bahia and occupies the historic building of the Faculty of Medicine, Brazil's first medical school, in the heart of Salvador's Pelourinho. It opened on 7 January 1982 at the initiative of the then director of the Centre for Afro-Oriental Studies, the scholar Yeda Pessoa de Castro, through an agreement between the ministries of foreign affairs and of education and culture, the Bahia government, the city of Salvador and the university. Its purpose is to defend, study and spread everything relating to Afro-Brazilian themes, in the city with the largest population of African descent outside Africa. Its collection holds original or African-inspired pieces from work, technology and the arts, from tools and masks to textiles and jewellery, alongside Brazilian-made objects. The building itself, the historic Medical School on Terreiro de Jesus square, is one of the finest in Pelourinho. The museum usually opens on weekdays for a small fee; check times before visiting, and pair it with a walk around Pelourinho and the nearby Jorge Amado Foundation.
African crafts.
From Africa.
A historic building.
Historic Medical School building, Pelourinho, Salvador
Pelourinho (Historic Centre of Salvador)Pelourinho is the historic centre of Salvador, Brazil's first capital from 1549 1 minute walk
Fundação Casa de Jorge AmadoIn the blue house overlooking the Pelourinho square stands the Jorge Amado House2 minutes walk4.8
Elevador LacerdaThe Elevador Lacerda is a public lift 72 metres high that links Salvador's Upper5 minutes walk4.4
Mercado ModeloMercado Modelo is Salvador's best-known handicraft market, in the Lower City at 6 minutes walk4.3
Arena Fonte NovaArena Fonte Nova is a football stadium of about 48,000 seats, built on the site 11 minutes walk4.5In the historic Medical School building in Pelourinho, run by the Federal University of Bahia.