Igreja e Museu da Misericórdia (Church and Museum of Mercy), Salvador

This stately 17th-century mansion, perched between two squares, doesn’t just house history—it practically whispers it through its walls. Step into the Museum of Mercy, where every corridor and grand hall doubles as a time machine. Once the site of Bahia’s very first hospital (dating back to 1549, no less), it’s seen everything from royal visits to high-stakes medical miracles.

The museum isn’t just any old cultural hotspot; with a jaw-dropping collection of over 3,000 items, it’s like scrolling through 500 years of Bahia’s backstory—but, you know, without the scrolling. Highlights? A chair specially made for Emperor Dom Pedro II’s 1859 visit, Ruy Barbosa’s historic desk, Portuguese tile panels depicting eerie processions, the Pharmacy Hall, and the pièce de résistance: the oldest gasoline-powered car on display in all of Brazil.

Meanwhile, the Church of Mercy, conveniently connected to the museum, offers a mash-up of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles, serving as both a spiritual haven and a backdrop for everything from weddings to concerts. It also features the “Concert in the Churches” series, with performances by groups and conductors.

So, whether you’re here for the ancient furniture, the tile panels, or just to attend a concert, this site delivers on every level.