Illuminata

Hanging on the wall over my desk and next to my Merchant Marine license is a key ring holder.  Normally, such a pedestrian object would have no business there, but this key ring holder is special.  Furthermore, it is not there to hold keys.  A gift from Miss Patty after a recent visit with the children, it contains above the key-holding hooks a framed ceramic tile with a painting of a lighthouse on it.  While the world’s coastlines are full of lighthouses, this one serves as more than an aid to navigation.  It represents family.

In the southwest corner of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, stands the Farol da Barra—the Lighthouse of the Barra—the Barra being the adjacent neighborhood of the city.  Situated on a slight promontory along the coast road, this light overlooks the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Baia de Todos os Santos—the Bay of All the Saints.  This bay forms the seaport of Salvador.  The commercial shipping docks line the west side of the city with anchorage areas a short distance offshore.  Dating from 1698, this lighthouse has seen many vessels arrive and depart.  A comparatively new feature is the Museu Nautico da Bahia in an adjoining building.   A timeless feature is the magnificent view of the great South Atlantic Ocean, the Baia de Todos os Santos, and the adjacent coastline.  People traverse great distances to visit the Farol da Barra and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the site.

Nearly every visit to the children in Brazil by family members from the north has included a visit to the Farol da Barra.  All of us have strolled the seaside promenade leading to the lighthouse.  The majestic sight of the seemingly limitless South Atlantic, the gentle washing of the shore along the seawall by the small waves, and the peace and quiet of Nature in contrast to the commotion of the city soothe the soul and inspire the mind.

Similar vistas are also available, even if only briefly, on one’s arrival in Salvador by air.  On its approach to the runway about a dozen miles north of the city proper, the aircraft flies over the Baia de Todos os Santos on a northeasterly heading.  To the left one sees the sheltered bay, the anchored cargo ships, and part of the commercial waterfront.  To the right one sees the open Atlantic, the Farol da Barra, and the Barra neighborhood of Salvador.  A fleeting but nonetheless breathtaking view from the air.

Five centuries ago, the Portuguese brought the supernal light of Christianity to Brazil.  They also established navigational lights to guide their ships along the coast.  Visiting this lighthouse in particular has become a family tradition, and every visit yields a spiritual experience.  In addition to illuminating the coast line, the Farol da Barra reminds us of the sublime light that our children and grandchildren bring into the family, and their light guides us to the Supreme Light that illuminates not only coast lines and families, but the entire world. 

Now for some photography.  First, the image of the Farol da Barra that's on the tile in the key ring holder:

 

Next are two photographs of the Farol da Barra taken by my son James on Friday, February 15, 2019:

 

 

We did have more photographs of the Farol da Barra, but unfortunately most of these were lost when my daughter's computer developed problems.  All the more reason to make a return visit, then!