Construction on a new cathedral began during the rule of Tomé de Sousa.
  This site, outside the walls of Salvador's initial city settlement, was later known as the Terreiro de Jesus because it was dominated by the Jesuit college and church.
The exact dates of construction are not known, but in 1570 Governor Mem de Sá wrote that the building was of stone masonry, with three naves.
 Writing in 1587, explorer Gabriel Soares de Souza described it as "very well constructed and decorated, and two side altars flanking the main chapel."

Another stage of cathedral construction began on the Old Cathedral of Salvador at the beginning of the seventeenth century, during the rule of Governor Gaspar de Souza (1612-1617).
This building was located on the same site in the Terreiro de Jesus as the previous church, with the facade oriented to face the bay; but this time the interior was a single nave.
During the Dutch Invasion in 1624, the Old Cathedral was used as a military base and was badly damaged when the Portuguese retook the city in 1625.
  The Diocese was vacant for a decade, recovering its bishop only in 1634 with the arrival of D. Pedro da Silva Sampaio.
Starting in 1637, repairs were made on the Old Cathedral which was in poor condition.
Construction on a new cathedral began during the rule of Tomé de Sousa.  This site, outside the walls of Salvador's initial city settlement, was later known as the Terreiro de Jesus because it was dominated by the Jesuit college and church. The exact dates of construction are not known, but in 1570 Governor Mem de Sá wrote that the building was of stone masonry, with three naves.  Writing in 1587, explorer Gabriel Soares de Souza described it as "very well constructed and decorated, and two side altars flanking the main chapel."
Another stage of cathedral construction began on the Old Cathedral of Salvador at the beginning of the seventeenth century, during the rule of Governor Gaspar de Souza (1612-1617). This building was located on the same site in the Terreiro de Jesus as the previous church, with the facade oriented to face the bay; but this time the interior was a single nave. During the Dutch Invasion in 1624, the Old Cathedral was used as a military base and was badly damaged when the Portuguese retook the city in 1625.  The Diocese was vacant for a decade, recovering its bishop only in 1634 with the arrival of D. Pedro da Silva Sampaio. Starting in 1637, repairs were made on the Old Cathedral which was in poor condition.
Old Cathedral of Salvador