Vila Velha, Coastal municipality in Espírito Santo, Brazil.
Vila Velha is a coastal municipality in Espírito Santo, Brazil, with beaches and neighborhoods distributed along the bay shoreline. The city sits at sea level and borders the state capital Vitória, forming a continuous metropolitan area with it.
Vasco Fernandes Coutinho founded the settlement in 1535 as Vila do Espírito Santo, making it the first capital of the captaincy. The town later lost its capital status to Vitória but remained an important coastal center in the region.
The Convento da Penha, constructed on a hilltop in the 16th century, remains a central religious location for celebrations and pilgrimages throughout the year.
A bridge links the municipality to Vitória, making travel between the two cities straightforward for visitors and residents. The coastal layout allows easy access to multiple beach sections, reachable on foot or by local transport.
The Convento da Penha stands on a hill above the city and has served as a pilgrimage site since the 16th century. The Reserva Ecológica de Jacarenema protects mangrove areas and coastal habitats along the Atlantic shoreline.
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