Resumo:
This paper argues for the importance of the Rio das Tripas and Camurugipe river to the constitution of the city of Salvador - BA. First as defense element of early settlement, and then transformed into technical device of circulation and sewage, structural to the city at the time of it extrapolation beyond its original core. The paper emphasizes its urbanization in the XIX century, as the Rua da Valla, connecting consolidated areas of the city, exploring a valley previously problematic and, on a larger scale, to launch the most distant suburbs, the north and south ends. The Rua da Valla was built at the same time that other urban infrastructure initiatives are being carried out, mechanizing the metropolis and broadening the scale of understanding and action. The Rua da Valla operate in all the drainage of the heart of the city and will be, for many decades, the main trunk of the various city sanitation projects, as well as key piece to some of its main avenues. This dual role, sewage and urban connection will occur mixed with the drinking water supply from the first dams, aqueducts and fountains, also using the springs of the basin, and the city's meat supply, and even something of their funeral activities. Although geometrically central today, in the history of Salvador this valley always appeared sometimes as a kind of "background", before peripheral, now on the lower floors, besides its huge importance.
