Santana, thanks in part to its longstanding
importance as a crossroads and its proximity to Salvador, is an
important and diverse commercial and industrial center. The Universidade
Estadual de Feira de Santana is located in the city. The city is the
seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Feira de Santana.
Feira de
Santana is famous for its parties and festivals, such as Senhora
Sant'Ana in the last week of July (26 July), which features activities
such as bumba-meu-boi, segura-a-veia and burrinha. The Micareta carnival
party is held 15 days after Passover; the Festival of Violeiros, in
September; and the donkey race in November. The city boasts of several
interesting tourist destinations including the market of popular arts,
the museum of contemporary art and the Antares Astronomical Observatory
