Vila Galé supports the revitalization of the historic center of Salvador (Bahia)

The group sponsors the reactivation of the São Domingos Gusmão Church’s bells

Vila Galé donated three ancient bells to the Church of the Third Order of São Domingos de Gusmão – one of the landmarks of the Terreiro de Jesus plaza, located in front of the Cathedral Basilica of the City of Salvador, Brazil. The group supported the bell re-activation project, which was idealized by the Secretary of Tourism of the Bahia Government, Fausto Franco, with the purpose of rescuing this state’s history and valuing tourism.

“After almost half a century, the bells of the Church of São Domingos will toll along with the bells of the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador and with those of the Rosário dos Pretos Church. We are proud to effectively contribute to the local history with the aim of enhancing Brazilian heritage. The future of tourism depends on this type of actions, which assesses revitalizing spaces – especially in Salvador, as it has a wide range of tourist attractions”, says the CEO and founder of the Vila Galé Group, Jorge Rebelo de Almeida.

Besides the Secretary of Tourism, the project of São Domingos Gusmão Church was monitored by historian Rafael Dantas and engineer Arthur Barros.

Vila Galé already has a trajectory with investments in historical estate rehabilitations, so much so that in Portugal, in partnership with the Ministries of Economy, Culture and Finance, the group participates in Revive – a public program for the concession and recovery of historical heritage. In this context, the group opened Vila Galé Collection Elvas – Historic Hotel, Conference & Spa in 2019 and is currently developing Vila Galé Collection Alter Real, at the Alter do Chão Stud Farm, which is scheduled to open on March 13th.

In Brazil, the group owns Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro, which results from the recovery of a 19th-century ancient palace house, which had formerly been a hotel, a convent and the well-known Mabe Private School. It is also interested in revitalizing and transforming the Rio Branco Palace, the former seat of the government of Bahia, into a five-star hotel unit.