Bahía 1625: Documentary Reveals Spain's Forgotten Victory in Brazil After 400 Years

A new documentary, 'Bahía 1625. Historia sobre lienzo,' unveils the story of the 1625 battle in Salvador de Bahía, Brazil, where Spanish and Portuguese forces defeated the Dutch. Directed by Antonio Pérez Molero, the film was inspired by the discovery of a large painting depicting the battle. The documentary highlights the Spanish-Portuguese victory, a turning point in colonial expansion. It includes footage of a replica of the painting arriving in Salvador de Bahía on the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, with Princess Leonor of Spain present during the voyage in February 2025. 'Bahía 1625' combines on-location footage from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Brazil with expert interviews and animated recreations of the painting. The documentary is scheduled to premiere in the summer of 2025. The original painting will be displayed at the Naval Museum of Madrid from April to September 2025.