Cairu history

Cairu is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, located in the state of Bahia. Its history dates back to 1531, when the Portuguese navigator Martim Afonso de Sousa explored Tinharé Island. Active settlement of the territory began in the mid-16th century, and the settlement officially received the status of a town (Vila) in 1610 under the name Vila de Nossa Senhora do Rosário do Cairu.

The development of the city was defined by a combination of geographical and strategic advantages:

• Island Location: Its position on the archipelago provided natural protection against invasions and convenient access to the ocean for navigation.
• Coastal Defence: Cairu played a vital role in protecting the region from attacks by French and Dutch corsairs seeking to seize the rich lands of Bahia.
• Administrative Status: The city quickly became the administrative centre of the archipelago, uniting the surrounding settlements.

In the colonial era, Cairu's economy relied on rich natural resources. The main activities were the production of manioc flour, essential for supplying Salvador, and the harvesting of precious timber for shipbuilding. Later, the cultivation of coconuts and dendê palms became significant.

The cultural appearance of the city was shaped by the influence of Catholic missions. A symbol of prosperity and religious significance was the Convent of Saint Anthony (Convento de Santo Antônio), founded in 1654. It is an outstanding example of early Brazilian Baroque and testifies to the high status of the city in the 17th century.

• 1501 — An expedition commanded by Amerigo Vespucci discovers Tinharé Island, on the territory of which the municipality would later be formed.
• 1531 — Portuguese navigator Martim Afonso de Sousa explores the region, noting its strategic potential for coastal defence.
• 1608 — Governor-General Diogo Botelho orders the foundation of a settlement to strengthen the Portuguese presence.
• 1610 — The settlement officially receives the status of a "Vila" (town) and the name Nossa Senhora do Rosário do Cairu.
• 1654 — The Franciscans lay the first stone in the foundation of the Convent of Saint Anthony, which would become the architectural jewel of the city.
• 1822 — The City Council of Cairu is one of the first in the state of Bahia to publicly support the independence of Brazil from Portugal.
• 1823 — Local residents take an active part in combat operations against Portuguese troops during the war for the independence of Bahia.
• 1911 — During administrative division, several districts, including Galeão and Gamboa, are officially assigned to the municipality.
• 1938 — Cairu receives city status (cidade) in accordance with a state decree as part of a national administrative reform.
• 1941 — The Convent and Church of Saint Anthony are listed as Brazilian historical and artistic heritage (IPHAN).
• 1992 — The Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Tinharé and Boipeba islands is created to protect unique mangrove forests and beaches.
• 2000s — The municipality becomes one of the key centres of international tourism in Brazil thanks to the popularity of the Morro de São Paulo resort.

The development of Cairu is a journey from a strategic outpost of the Portuguese Crown to one of Brazil's main tourist centres. The key stages of the city's transformation can be divided into the following milestones:

• Acquisition of Administrative Status (1610)
  Receiving the status of "Vila" solidified the settlement's role as the administrative centre of the archipelago. This decision allowed for the organisation of effective coastal defence and the orderly management of scattered island territories.
• Spiritual and Architectural Establishment (1654)
  The commencement of the construction of the Convent of Saint Anthony became an urban landmark. The appearance of the monumental Baroque complex not only affirmed the influence of the church but also set the vector for the architectural development of the city for centuries to come.
• Economic Integration with Salvador (18th–19th Centuries)
  Cairu secured its status as a key supplier of food (manioc flour) and building materials for the state capital. This economic model ensured the city a stable income and the development of port infrastructure.
• Political Consolidation (1823)
  Active participation in the war for the independence of Bahia transformed the urban community. From colonial subjects, residents turned into citizens defending the interests of the new Brazilian nation, which increased the political weight of the city.
• Preservation of the Historic Centre (1941)
  The inclusion of the architectural ensemble in the national heritage list (IPHAN) halted chaotic construction. This decision preserved the unique colonial appearance of Cairu, which is today its main cultural asset.
• Tourism Revolution (Late 20th — Early 21st Century)
  A global rethinking of the regional economy. Opening the islands (especially Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba) to mass and premium tourism led to large-scale investments in services, transport, and the hotel business, making tourism the main driver of development.

Urban Development and City Structure

The architectural appearance of Cairu is a classic example of Portuguese colonial urban planning, adapted to complex island terrain. The city developed organically, following the curves of the landscape, without the rigid geometric grid of streets characteristic of later periods.

The historic centre is divided into two nominal levels, which is typical for Portuguese cities of that era (as in Salvador or Lisbon):

• Upper City: The main religious and administrative buildings are concentrated here. The location on high ground served a strategic function, providing a view of the water area and protection from attacks from the sea.
• Lower City (Coastal Zone): The zone of the port and trade, ensuring connection with the mainland and other islands of the archipelago.

The streets of the historic centre are narrow and winding, paved with rough stone (so-called pé-de-moleque masonry), which preserves the atmosphere of the 17th–18th centuries.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The dominant style in Cairu is Colonial Baroque. Since the economic heyday of the city occurred in the 17th century, the architectural ensemble is distinguished by stylistic unity, practically untouched by later reconstructions or modernism.

Main features of Cairu's architecture:

• Franciscan Baroque (17th Century): A strict and monumental style of the early colonial period. Buildings are characterised by massive walls, triangular pediments, and the presence of covered galleries (galilees) before the entrance to the temple.
• Traditional Portuguese Architecture (18th–19th Centuries): Civil construction is represented by two-story houses ("sobrados") with tall sash windows and tiled roofs with characteristic cornices.

Iconic Architectural Monuments

Cairu's architectural heritage is centred around religious structures, which served not only as spiritual centres but also as symbols of colonial power.

Convent and Church of Saint Anthony (Convento e Igreja de Santo Antônio)

This is the city's key monument and one of the first Franciscan monasteries in Brazil. Its construction began in 1654. The architecture of the complex is unique:

• Façade: Executed in a restrained style characteristic of early Baroque. The main feature is the galilee — a covered arcade before the entrance with five arches, which is a distinctive feature of Franciscan temples in the northeast of Brazil.
• Interior: Contrasts with the strict façade thanks to rich decoration. Valuable examples of Portuguese azulejo tiles and gilded wood carving are preserved here.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário)

The main parish church of the city, located at the highest point of the hill. The building represents an example of religious architecture from the early 17th century. Its massive silhouette dominates the city panorama, and the interior decoration includes altars with Rococo and Baroque elements, as well as ancient images of saints brought from Portugal.

Colonial Mansions (Sobrados)

Rows of residential houses from the colonial era have been preserved along the historic streets. Their architecture is distinguished by simplicity and functionality: bright coloured façades (blue, ochre, white) contrast with white window frames and dark roof tiles, creating the picturesque and recognisable look of old Bahia.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Cairu

The history of the municipality of Cairu is inextricably linked with Portuguese colonisation, religious missions, and the struggle for Brazil's independence. Among the key figures who influenced the development and destiny of this region, the following individuals can be highlighted:

• Martim Afonso de Sousa
  Portuguese navigator and colonial administrator (16th Century)
  The discoverer of these lands. In 1531, his expedition landed on Tinharé Island (part of the modern municipality of Cairu). It was he who assessed the strategic importance of the archipelago for controlling the coast of Bahia, which marked the beginning of the region's development.
• Lucas da Fonseca
  Colonial official and founder (17th Century)
  Played a key role in the administrative establishment of the settlement. It was with his participation that in 1610, the scattered settlements received the official status of "Vila" (Vila de Nossa Senhora do Rosário do Cairu), which secured Cairu's role as the centre of the archipelago.
• Friar Sebastião do Espírito Santo
  Franciscan monk and architect (17th Century)
  The initiator of the construction and the first superior of the Convent of Saint Anthony. Under his leadership, the foundation of this monumental complex was laid in 1654; today, it is the main architectural attraction of the city and a monument of national significance.
• José da Silva Lisboa, Viscount of Cairu (Visconde de Cairu)
  Statesman, economist, and historian (1756–1835)
  Although born in Salvador, this outstanding politician received a noble title named after the city of Cairu for his services to the Brazilian Empire. He is known as the author of the decree opening Brazilian ports to friendly nations (1808), which radically changed the country's economy. A bust in his honour is installed in the city.
• João Francisco de Oliveira (known as João das Botas)
  Naval officer, hero of the War of Independence (19th Century)
  A legendary figure in the history of Bahia. In 1823, he commanded a flotilla defending the waters around Tinharé Island and the fortress of Morro de São Paulo (part of the municipality of Cairu) from the Portuguese fleet. His actions helped prevent the landing of enemy troops and ensured the victory of the Brazilians in the region.
• Dom Pedro II
  Emperor of Brazil (1825–1891)
  The monarch visited the municipality during his journey through the northeast of the country in 1859. He inspected the fortifications and the lighthouse in Morro de São Paulo, and also visited the city of Cairu itself. His visit helped attract attention to the condition of the region's historical monuments.