News It is one of the unmissable stops on any backpacker's trip across Brazil, the nation’s first capital, famous for its vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture, spicy cuisine, incredible parties and beautiful beaches So when the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay arrived in Salvador, the state capital of Bahia, on Tuesday (24 May), it was bound to be colourful The relay began its tour of the city at 9:50am in the historic central district of Pelourinho, is a world heritage site jam-packed with colonial architecture, where Michael Jackson shot the video to his hit They Don't Care About Us The Olympic flame was welcomed by the drums of world-famous carnival percussion group, Olodum, who themselves starred in Jackson's video 10 reasons to follow the Olympic Torch to Bahia   Olodum percussionist Magno Macedo, 7, got into the Olympic spirit (Photo: Rio 2016/Marcos de Paula) While in Pelourinho, the torch visited the Fundação Casa de Cultura Jorge Amado, the former residence of the famous Bahian writer, and the Terreiro de Jesus, the square in the city’s historic centre where the Cathedral Basílica de São Salvador and the convent church of São Francisco are located Terreiro de Jesus, where many of Salvador’s important historical buildings are located (Photo: Christian Knepper) Next, the torch paid a visit to the Mercado Modelo, a virbant market that occupies more than 8,000 square metres and is famous for selling typical Bahian handicrafts and cuisine However, to get there the Olympic flame had to take a slightly unconventional route: abseiling 72 metres down the exterior of the oldest urban elevator in the world, the Elevador Lacerda Gilson do Nascimento carried the torch down tyhe Elevador Lacerda (Photo: Rio 2016/Andre Luiz Mello) The next leg of the torch’s journey was due to be a little less intense, this time aboard a rowing boat on the placid waters of Dique do Tororó The lagoons surface is graced by sculptures of orishas, deities in various Afro-Brazilian religions, the work of artist Tati Moreno In the background stands the Arena Fonte Nova which, during the Rio 2016 Games, will host 10 football matches – seven in the men’s competition and three in the women’s Despite the 7-1, German football team to be welcomed with open arms in Salvador Buy tickets to the Rio 2016 Games The Arena Fonte Nova will host some of the world best footballers in August (Photo: Portal da Copa) The torch also encountered Salvador’s music, religion and history at the church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Here the Olympic symbol was welcomed by women in traditional Bahia costume and by the folkloric Afro-Brazilian carnival group Afoxé Filhos de Gandhy The Afoxé Filhos de Gandhy carnival group welcomed the Olympic torch to Salvador (Photo: Rio 2016/Andre Luiz Mello) In all, 150 people were scheduled to carry the Olympic torch through Salvador Among them famous Brazilian athletes like boxer Esquiva Falcão, who won bronze at London 2012, celebrities such as singer Daniela Mercury and São Paulo Fashion Week director Paulo Borges, and inspiring citizens such as Luislinda Valois, the first black chief judge of Brazil and 2012 UN Peace Ambassador Esquiva Falcão won bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games Party at the lighthouse It's Brazil, so of course the day is scheduled to end with a party, and where better than alongside Salvador’s old lighthouse, the Farol da Barra The torch relay’s closing celebration will feature Brazilian stars such as Thiaguinho, Jota Quest and Daniela Mercury before the city’s Olympic cauldron is lit The Farol da Barra hosts carnival parties attracting thousands of revellers (Photo: Maurício Simonetti)