Taberoê, also known as Itaberoê, offers a way to explore the local history of Baixo Sul: the historic Estrada Geral ran through the settlement. Taberoê can be considered both as a place of settlement and in the context of a larger coastal route.
The Estrada Geral and Its Names
The Estrada Geral was a coastal road built in the late 18th century between Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. It ran through Itaberoê and is also known by the names estrada da Finca, estrada da linha, and caminho dos jesuítas. These names refer to the same historic road. This shifts the focus from the specific place to a route that extended across a wider region. For travellers interested in regional history, this connection offers a clear theme to explore: the history of Taberoê can be linked to the former routes along the coast.
Settlement History in Baixo Sul
Taberoê is one of the districts in Baixo Sul whose settlements developed into villages or hamlets during the 18th century. In 1790, Itaberoê was one of the settlements of the Vila de Santarém. Its trade production included rice, cotton, coffee, timber, and piaçava. These are two distinct historical scales: Itaberoê was a settlement within the Vila, while the listed trade goods belonged to the Vila as a whole. Taberoê is also mentioned among the districts associated with the development of settlements at colonial logging sites. Together with the Estrada Geral, this offers a picture of settlement, trade, and coastal history.
A Local Cultural Connection
Itaberoê is also associated with the Festa de Itaberoê (mês de Maria). The name of the festival adds a local cultural perspective to the historical connections. The place can therefore be understood through several different points of reference: the coastal road, the development of settlements in Baixo Sul, and a named connection to the povoado Itaberoê.
Getting Your Bearings and Travel Directions
The Associação de Itaberoê is located on the Ituberá–Nilo Peçanha road at kilometre 5. An INEMA notice dated 15 June 2012 gives directions via the BA 001 on the stretch between Ituberá and the turn-off to Pratigi. If you use this information to plan your journey, compare the route described with current directions.
Landscape in the Municipality of Ituberá
The landscape features described here relate to the municipality of Ituberá: it is surrounded by Atlantic Forest and includes numerous waterfalls, swimming spots, and beaches. In the Baixo Sul region of Bahia, Ituberá is among the most scenic areas of the Costa do Dendê. One well-known example is Cachoeira Pancada Grande. The waterfall is 61 metres high, is considered the tallest waterfall on Bahia’s coast, and is one of the Costa do Dendê’s main tourist attractions. It is located six kilometres from the centre of Ituberá, in the Reserva Ecológica Michelin, a protected area owned by Plantações Michelin da Bahia (PMB).
When planning your trip, it is helpful to keep these different scales in mind: the historical connections relate to Taberoê, or Itaberoê, while the forests, waterfalls, swimming spots, and beaches characterise the municipality of Ituberá. When looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether local history or the municipality’s landscape will shape your stay more.
Discover more destinations: Andaraí, Tareco, Tanquinho, Barra, São Félix, Conceição De Jacuípe, Feira De Santana, Vitória Da Conquista
For the main travel overview: Bahia.
