The original 1861 Customs House, where slaves were housed when they arrived in Salvador, was partly destroyed in a fire in 1986. After reconstruction, it was transformed into the Mercado Modelo. The market is a great spot to pick up tourist trinkets, and a couple of cafes out back provide seating with great views of the bay.

　　Perhaps owing to the building's grisly history, night guards report ghostly activities after closing hours.