Salvador

Lavagem do Bonfim Lavagem do Bonfim

A party in the heart of Salvador gathers thousands of people in a celebration of faith and baiana gastronomy.

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The Lavagem das Escadarias do Bonfim (Bonfim Stairs Washing) - or simply Lavagem do Bonfim – is Bahia's second largest popular gathering, only behind Carnival. The ritual, which has happened yearly since 1754, gathers thousands of people and always happens on the second Thursday of January, after the Epiphany (or Three King's Day).

At 10 A.M., the participants meet in front of the Igreja Conceiçao da Praia (Conceiçao da Praia Church), all dressed in white, and walk 8 km toward the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim (Senhor do Bonfim Church). The ritual's trademark is the presence of the baianas (the local women), with their typical full white dresses. They pour scented water over the Church stairs and people's heads, in a ritual of faith and hope, to the sound of African chants.

The closing of the ceremony, which means purification, is an opportunity to feast yourself in typical cuisine, such as the famous acaraje - a beans dumpling, fried in dende oil, filled with vatapa, which is a filling made of shrimp, coconut milk and peanuts.

Tips

As in all public and busy places, mind your belongings.

Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

When 12 Jan - 12 Oct 2020 Add to calendar

When Official website

Address

Senhor do Bonfim Square, Salvador, Bahia State

How to get there

Taxi

You can take a taxi and go straight to the Washing ceremony. Get an estimate of the rate beforehand.

Walking

You can follow the entire ritual walking from the Igreja da Conceição da Praia (Conceição da Praia’s Church) to the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim (Senhor do Bonfim Church).

Bus

To reach the Senhor do Bonfim Church by bus, check the bus lines that go by the Bonfim neighborhood. You can also get there by the touristic double-decker bus.