Santa Cruz Cabrália

Santa Cruz Cabralia on the map of Bahia

Santa Cruz Cabrália is a Brazilian coastal town north of Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia. The town has 26 198 (2010 IBGE ) inhabitants.

Historical Background

In the immediate vicinity of Santa Cruz Cabrália landed in April 1500 of the Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral and conquerors. Cabral discovered Brazil and is considered to be named the land first Ilha de Vera Cruz or Terra de Vera Cruz (Island of the True Cross or country ), and later Santa Cruz (Land of the Holy Cross ) as it was in Terra renamed. The navigator Gonçalo Coelho, commander of the second Portuguese expedition to Brazil, left after landing in the bay Cabrália on the north shore of the mouth of the Rio Mutari in 1503 the first missionaries, adventurers and convicts on land. Eighty years later, the settlement of Santa Cruz has been moved to a plateau at the mouth of the Rio João de Tiba, the current historic center. Here the settlers against the frequent attacks of the natives were better protected.

Santa Cruz Cabrália was built by Portuguese tradition on two levels. The village consists of two parts, the lower town with a small harbor for fishing and tourist boats and the historic Upper Town with the chapel Igreja de NS da Conceição from the 17th century. At this point, it should be woren celebrated on Brazilian soil on April 26, 1500, the first mass. Survived are the historic prison from the 18th century, as well as ruins of the first built by the Jesuits building.

The feast of the patron saint is held every year on December 8th in the Immaculate Conception Church, in the old town of Santa Cruz Cabrália instead. On the eve of the feast, and in the twilight in the morning, there is a fireworks display. Then a solemn Mass is celebrated, followed by a procession, in which an image of the Virgin is carried through the streets of the city.

Nature reserve and beaches

The biggest attraction around Santa Cruz Cabrália are the white sand beaches and the relatively pristine coastal vegetation. Boat trips on the river Rio João de Tiba lead to the river beaches of Santo André, which belong to the natural reserve of Guaiu and Santo Antônio. One can also find large coconut plantations that are located on the road to the village of Belmonte ( about 50 km from Santa Cruz Cabrália away). The neighboring town of Belmonte, the natural separation between the cocoa coast of Ilheus and the area of the beaches dar. to Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália

Another tourist attraction is the beach of Coroa Vermelha obvious. Here the indigenous natives of the tribes Pataxó, Itambé, Saracura and Ipê sell their products and souvenirs.

World Cup base of the German national

On December 13, 2013 it was announced that the German Football Association will open its World Cup base in the district of Vila de Santo André, just north of the village. The national team will be a newly built holiday complex with 14 houses named Campo Bahia inhabit, which is created by a German company. In addition, a press center and a newly-built training ground nearby.