This square is known as the Praça Tomé de Souza, named after the founder of the city of Salvador (a statue in the centre of the square pays homage to him), or the Praça Municipal, because of the surrounding government buildings: the Paço Municipal, the city's seat of power, and the Palácio Rio Branco, which housed the federal executive. Whatever the name, there is only one way to get there: the Elevador Lacerda whisks you up to the square, from where you can enjoy a view over the lower city and the bay.