Product Code Database
Vila Velha (; ) is a Brazilian municipality situated on the coast of the state of Espírito Santo, in the Southeast Region of Brazil. It is part of the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Area and covers an area of , of which is within the urban area. According to estimates by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2024, its population was inhabitants, making it the second most populous municipality in Espírito Santo, surpassed only by Serra.
Founded on 23 May 1535 by the Portugal Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, the grantee of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, Vila Velha served as the captaincy’s capital until 1549, when the seat was transferred to Vitória. As the oldest city in the state, it is home to numerous historical landmarks, including the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga, the Santa Luzia Lighthouse, and the Penha Convent. The latter, constructed between the 16th and 17th centuries, is one of Espírito Santo’s primary tourist attractions and was designated a national cultural heritage site by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage in 1943.
Today, Vila Velha is a significant industrial hub and the state’s second-largest commercial center, following the capital, Vitória. Its coastline is almost entirely lined with beaches, which are key tourist and scenic attractions, including Praia da Costa, Itapoã, and Itaparica. The city hosts several annual events that further boost tourism, such as the Festa da Penha, a tribute to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, considered Brazil’s third-largest religious event; the Chocolate Festival, showcasing the work of Chocolates Garoto, one of Vila Velha’s largest and oldest industries; and Jesus Vida Verão.
Little is known about Vila Velha’s history from the 16th to the 19th centuries. During this period, notable events include the completion of the Penha Convent and Dutch attacks on sugar plantations in the 17th century. The city saw minimal development, with a provincial government report recording inhabitants in 1827. Access to the capital, Vitória, which, unlike Vila Velha, was steadily growing, was challenging.
At that time, the economy relied on agriculture, sustained by slave labor of indigenous and Black people individuals. In the area now known as the Aribiri neighborhood, a quilombo of escaped slaves existed, which, in the early 20th century, gave rise to a settlement and later the neighborhood. In 1890, the municipality was formally established under the Espírito Santo Constitution, changing its name from "Vila do Espírito Santo" to "Vila Velha." In the following decade, a city plan was drafted, followed by street expansions and other infrastructure projects, which began attracting commercial investors. However, significant economic growth occurred only after the construction of the Florentino Ávidos Bridge in the late 1920s, connecting Vila Velha to Vitória. The opening of the Chocolates Garoto factory during this period also spurred development, drawing more residents and boosting commerce. The city’s tram, introduced in 1912, was gradually replaced by vehicles starting in the 1950s. On 21 April 1931, Vila Velha was annexed to Vitória but was reestablished in 1938. It was annexed again in 1943 and reestablished four years later, officially recognized by State Law No. 479 on 31 January 1959.
By 1950, the population had grown to approximately 24,000 inhabitants, but until the 1960s, Vila Velha remained closely tied to Vitória. Many residents of Vila Velha or its districts worked or studied in Vitória. The establishment of schools, commercial enterprises, and economic strengthening reversed this dependency. Investments in tourism also began, with improvements to beach infrastructure and the regularization of the hotel network, alongside the development of port terminals.
Today, Vila Velha stands out for its tourism and historical significance. The Penha Convent is the municipality’s primary attraction and one of the most important historical and religious landmarks in both Espírito Santo and Brazil. The presence of numerous beaches, such as Praia da Costa and Itapoã, enhances the city’s prominence. The city also boasts a robust real estate market and is a growing hub for garment manufacturing and foreign trade, with its port terminals handling approximately 90% of Espírito Santo’s exported goods.
Under the regional division effective since 2017, established by the IBGE, the municipality belongs to the Intermediate and Immediate Geographic Regions of Vitória. Previously, under the division into microregions and mesoregions, it was part of the Vitória microregion, within the Central Espírito-Santense mesoregion.
The ongoing conurbation process in the region is forming a metropolis centered in Vitória, extending to the municipalities of Cariacica, Fundão, Guarapari, Serra, Viana, and Vila Velha. The Greater Vitória Metropolitan Area (RMV) was established by State Complementary Law No. 58 on 21 February 1995, and is currently the 14th largest urban agglomeration in Brazil, with over 1.68 million inhabitants. It is the most dynamic economic region in Espírito Santo, accounting for 58% of the state’s wealth and housing 46% of its population and 57% of its urban population.
Vila Velha encompasses two hydrographic basins: the Guarapari River and Jucu River basins, with areas of and , respectively. The Jucu River is the main river flowing through the municipality, originating in the mountainous region of Domingos Martins and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean within Vila Velha’s territory. It supplies water to 60% of the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Area’s population. The river’s confluence with the sea occasionally forms small during certain periods of the year.
The climate of Vila Velha is classified by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics as tropical climate hot super-humid (type Aw per the Köppen classification), characterized by dry, mild and rainy . Winds are consistent year-round, but the passage of occasional can cause stronger gusts, with speeds exceeding . Extreme cold events are rare. According to data from the automatic weather station of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) in Vila Velha, located at Fazenda Paraíso, the lowest temperature recorded was on 19 May 2022, and the highest was on 14 March 2019.
Several islands fall within Vila Velha’s territory. Itatiaia Island is a rocky island near the Praia de Itapuã coast, serving as a breeding ground for seabirds such as Ardeidae and . Garças Island is another key breeding site for species such as herons and the black-crowned night heron, with its restinga vegetation supporting conservation efforts. Located from the mainland, it is used for fishing but access is restricted from January to March during the breeding season. Pacotes Island, restricted to the Brazilian Navy, hosts a maritime signaling lighthouse.
Vila Velha has eleven Permanent Preservation Areas (APP): Lagoa Grande, in Ponta da Fruta; Morro de Argolas, established to protect the local Atlantic Forest fauna and flora; Morro do Pão Doce, in the São Torquato district; Lagoa de Jacuném, in Ponta da Fruta, encompassing a complex of about of Atlantic Forest and restinga remnants; Morro da Ucharia, in the Prainha neighborhood; Morro do Convento, an ecological reserve also home to the Penha Convent; Morro do Moreno, a significant Atlantic Forest fragment covering ; Morro do Cruzeiro, a native forest reserve between the Jardim Colorado, Santos Dumont, Jardim Guadalajara, Brisamar, and Guadalupe neighborhoods; Morro do Jaburuna, a complex of three coastal rocky massifs hosting a native forest reserve; Lagoa Encantada, with an area of ; and Lagoa de Jabaeté, spanning .
According to the municipality, there are currently three conservation units: the Morro da Manteigueira Municipal Natural Park, established on 13 November 1999, with an area of , located along the Vitória Bay channel at the mouth of the Aribiri River, near the Glória neighborhood; the Jacarenema Municipal Natural Park, created in 2003 and ratified in 2008, covering in the Barra do Jucu neighborhood; and the Morro do Penedo Natural Monument, along the Vitória Bay channel, established in 2007 and regularized in 2010 to protect the Atlantic Forest remnants on the Morro do Penedo rocky formation.
The Human Development Index of Vila Velha is considered very high by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a value of 0.8, ranking it the second highest in Espírito Santo (among 77 municipalities) and the 273rd in Brazil (among 5,570). Most of the city’s indicators are high and above the national average, according to the UNDP.
From 2000 to 2010, the proportion of individuals with a per capita household income of up to half the minimum wage decreased by 54.6%. In 2010, 94.7% of the population lived above the poverty line, 3.4% were at the poverty line, and 1.8% were below it. In 2000, the wealthiest 20% of the population accounted for 61.3% of the municipality’s total income, 24 times higher than the 2.5% share of the poorest 20%. In 1991, the poorest 20% held 2.6% of the income, indicating an increase in social inequality from the early 1990s to 2000.
In 2008, according to the municipality, there were records of , , and irregular subdivisions. In 2010, inhabitants lived in subnormal agglomerations, areas characterized by irregular land occupation or urban zones with inadequate public services. The IBGE identifies Vila Velha as the municipality with the highest number of subnormal agglomerations in Espírito Santo, with the Barramares neighborhood being the largest, housing inhabitants in 2010, according to the institute.
Since the founding of the "Vila do Espírito Santo" in 1535, Christianity has been a significant presence in Vila Velha, as evidenced by the city’s original name. Shortly thereafter, construction began on the most prominent Catholic religious site in both the municipality and the state, the Penha Convent. This site hosts the annual Festa da Penha every April, a Catholic cultural and religious celebration honoring the patroness of Espírito Santo, Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Other significant Catholic churches in the city, noted for their historical and architectural value, include the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the oldest in Brazil, which retains the original style of its façade reconstructed in the 18th century; and the Church of Our Lady of Glory, located in Barra do Jucu, built between 1900 and 1913 using stone masonry in the Gothic style.
In smaller numbers, there are also Christians from various other denominations, including Jehovah’s Witnesses (representing 0.81% of the population), members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (0.17%), and adherents of spiritualist teachings (0.04% of the population).
The ICM operates under a hierarchical governance structure, with a presbytery in Vila Velha that centrally administers all its churches in Brazil and abroad. One of its well-known centers is the Maanaim, with the primary facility located in Domingos Martins, accommodating 4,000 people every two weeks for biblical seminars.
The first immigrants arrived in the area now known as Vila Velha during the colonial period, coexisting with the indigenous population. With the establishment of the new capital of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho brought 60 men, most of whom were Portugal. In subsequent years, small numbers of Spain and Netherlands also arrived. In the late 19th century and particularly during the 20th century, employment opportunities attracted more immigrants, with the most significant influx occurring in the 1960s. It is estimated that 75% of immigrants during this period were Italy, who settled on private properties, as the region lacked agricultural colonies like those in the interior of Espírito Santo.
Conversely, in 2010, 2,982 individuals emigrated from Vila Velha to other countries, with 876 moving to the United States (29.38%), 787 to Portugal (26.39%), 427 to Italy (14.32%), 224 to England (7.51%), 175 to Spain (5.87%), and 493 to other destinations worldwide (16.53%). The majority of these emigrants left Brazil in search of better living conditions and greater job opportunities.
To complement the legislative process and the work of the secretariats, several active municipal councils are in operation, including those for the rights of children and adolescents (established in 1991), guardianship (1997), the elderly (2004), and women (2002). Vila Velha is governed by its organic law, promulgated on October 25, 1990, and hosts a judicial district of the state judiciary. As of September 2018, the municipality had 298,748 registered voters, according to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), making it the second-largest electoral college in Espírito Santo, behind only Serra (320,800 voters). Due to having more than 200,000 voters, a second round is required in municipal elections if the leading mayoral candidate does not secure more than 50% of the votes in the first round. The city of Qingdao, in China, has been a sister city of Vila Velha since April 2011.
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2010, the city had 13,621 local units and 13,198 active commercial enterprises and establishments. A total of 111,610 workers were classified as employed, with 94,617 categorized as salaried employees. Salary and other remuneration amounted to R$1,403,035,000, and the average monthly salary in the municipality was 2.3 . Agriculture, which sustained Vila Velha for much of its history since its founding, declined in importance during the 20th century, giving way to commerce, tourism, and industry.
| Product | Harvested area (hectares) | Production (tons) |
| Sugarcane | 100 | 5,400 |
| Cassava | 45 | 675 |
| Corn | 25 | 38 |
Agriculture is the least significant sector of Vila Velha's economy. Of the city's total gross domestic product, R$12,171,000 is the gross value added by agriculture. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, in 2010, the municipality had approximately 17,490 cattle, 520 horses, ten donkeys, 130 mules, 5,623 pigs, 295 goats, and 400 sheep. There were 2,825 poultry, including 2,140 roosters, pullets, broilers, and chicks, 685 hens, and 16,700 quails, with 5,000 dozen chicken eggs and 431,000 dozen quail eggs produced. A total of 1,700 cows were milked, yielding 1,239,000 liters of milk. Additionally, 10,020 kilograms of honey were produced. Maritime fishing is also notable, with approximately 1,000 fishermen and 548 registered vessels, capturing an average of 250 tons of fish monthly.
In temporary crop farming, the main products are sugarcane (5,400 tons produced from 100 hectares), cassava (675 tons from 45 hectares), corn (38 tons from 25 hectares), and (32 tons from 40 hectares). In permanent crops, notable products include coconut (366,000 fruits from 70 hectares), coagulated latex rubber (239 tons from 199 hectares), oranges (93 tons from 13 hectares), coffee (50 tons from 25 hectares), and heart of palm (16 tons from 11 hectares).
The Vila Velha Port Terminal is one of the largest in southeastern Brazil, and Espírito Santo is considered a privileged area for this activity due to its central location in Brazil and easy connections to the rest of the country. The port exports steel products, marble and granite, coffee, automobiles, solid bulk, paper rolls, and cellulose to various states and countries.
Key commercial areas include the numerous open-air markets scattered throughout the city; the Glória Fashion Pole, located in the Glória neighborhood, with over 900 stores spread across several streets and dozens of galleries offering jewelry, bags, belts, beachwear, jeans, knits, and fabrics; as well as the city center and along the waterfront. The avenues along the coast also host most of the inns, hotels, and restaurants catering to various economic classes.
In 2009, the municipality had approximately 80,838 enrollments in public and private schools. According to the IBGE, in the same year, of the 135 elementary schools, 21 were state-run, 58 were municipal, and 56 were private. Of the 47 high schools, 18 were state-run, and 29 were private. In 2010, 13.4% of children aged 7 to 14 were not attending elementary school, and the completion rate among youths aged 15 to 17 was 63.1%. The literacy rate for the population aged 15 to 24 was 99.1%. In 2006, for every 100 girls in elementary school, there were 104 boys.
The Municipal Education Secretariat aims to coordinate and provide administrative and pedagogical support to Vila Velha's school system. Examples of programs coordinated by the Secretariat include Youth and Adult Education (EJA), a free education network for adults who did not complete elementary school, and a special education network, where students with physical disabilities are supported by specialized teachers in adapted classrooms.
| + Education in Vila Velha by numbers ! Level ! Enrollments ! Teachers ! Schools (total) |
As of January 2013, Vila Velha's municipal healthcare network consisted of 17 Primary Healthcare Units, seven of which operate under the Family Health Strategy, where specialized medical teams map territories for home visits, and ten function as traditional units with scheduled consultations or minor emergencies. The Municipal Health Secretariat, a body under the city hall responsible for managing public health services, also maintains programs such as the School Health Program, which organizes lectures, workshops, and oral health prevention for schoolchildren; the Adolescent Health Program; the Elderly Health Program; and the Worker Health Program.
The Vila Velha Municipal Security Council, established by municipal law 3,320 on July 23, 1997, and restructured on October 19, 2001, is tasked with proposing measures and activities to enhance municipal security. It comprises representatives (both primary and alternate) from various entities, including the Military Police, Civil Police, Municipal Civil Guard, Juvenile Court, Municipal Secretariat of Planning and Urban Development, the community, industry, and commerce.
Vila Velha's prison system has frequently faced issues such as riots and allegations of prisoner mistreatment, with overcrowding being a primary cause. There have also been reports of deaths and escapes. The municipality's Judicial Police Department has been reported to the United Nations and the Organization of American States for violations of human rights. The city also hosts the Espírito Santo Apprentice Sailors School (EAMES), one of four Brazilian Navy Apprentice Schools, which serves as a pathway for recruitment into the Brazilian Navy.
The Companhia Espírito Santense de Saneamento is responsible for sewage collection and water supply in Vila Velha, as well as much of Espírito Santo. According to the company, the entire urban area of the city has access to treated water, with much of the water supply coming from the Jucu River, which serves 60% of the population of Greater Vitória. However, 52% of urban residents lack sewage collection and treatment networks in their homes. In May 2012, half of Vila Velha's sewage was treated, while the other half was discharged directly into channels within the city. According to the Companhia Espírito Santense de Saneamento, by January 2015, the entire city will have treated sewage with the inauguration of the Grande Terra Vermelha Sewage Treatment Plant.
The Espírito Santo Centrais Elétricas S.A. is responsible for electricity supply in Vila Velha, serving 78 other municipalities in Greater Vitória and the state's interior. In 2010, 99.91% of the municipality's households were served by this service. Dial-up and broadband (ADSL) internet services are offered by various free and paid Internet service providers. Mobile phone services are provided by multiple operators, and some areas have wireless networks. Vila Velha's area code (DDD) is 027, and its postal code (CEP) ranges from 29100-001 to 29129-999.
Several VHF and UHF television channels are available, with some major broadcasters affiliated in the city or the Vitória Metropolitan Region, such as TV Vitória (affiliated with RecordTV), TV Gazeta Vitória (TV Globo), and TV Tribuna (affiliated with Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão/SBT). Vila Velha also has several circulating , including "A Gazeta," "A Tribuna," "ES Hoje," "Século Diário," and "A Crônica."
Water transportation in the municipality is limited to activities at the Vila Velha Port Terminal, one of the busiest on the Brazilian coast, and fishing activities. According to 2012 city hall data, there were approximately 1,000 fishermen and 548 registered vessels. Fishing boat activity is most intense at the beaches of Ribeiro, Costa, Itapoã, Itaparica, Barra do Jucu, Ponta da Fruta, and Prainha, with most vessels powered by diesel or electric motors. Prainha also hosts the Prainha Water Terminal, used as a dock for fishing boats.
Another significant railway in the city is the Vitória-Minas Railway, linking Vitória to Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais. The former São Carlos Station, later renamed Pedro Nolasco Station, located opposite the Vitória Bay, was originally opened on May 20, 1905, and renovated and reinaugurated on November 19, 1927, with its current eclectic architecture building. The station served as a passenger terminal until the 1960s, after which its functions were transferred to a temporary, simplified station and later to a new building in Cariacica, approximately 1 km from Vila Velha. Since 1942, the railway has been managed by the Companhia Vale do Rio Doce and is currently the only railway in Brazil to operate daily long-distance passenger transport. The former Pedro Nolasco Station building in Vila Velha was designated a Historical and Cultural Heritage site by the State Culture Council in 1986 and has housed the Vale Museum since 1998.
As in much of Brazil, the rise of road and air transportation contributed to the decline of railways, particularly in the first half of the 1990s. However, plans are in place for the construction of the South Coast Railway, which will connect Vitória and Vila Velha to Campos dos Goytacazes and the city of Rio de Janeiro, facilitating the transport of goods from various parts of the country to Espírito Santo's port terminals. Another project involving rail transport in Vila Velha is the establishment of a light rail system, which would serve not only the municipality but also the entire Greater Vitória area, addressing the region's urban mobility challenges.
The Vila Velha Bus Terminal, officially named Darly Santos Bus Station, is located in the Itaparica neighborhood and is one of the largest in the state. It offers routes to destinations along Espírito Santo's southern coast, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and other major cities in Espírito Santo and neighboring states. The terminal was inaugurated on July 4, 2012, replacing the former station in the Coqueiral de Itaparica neighborhood.
In 2010, the municipal vehicle fleet consisted of 157,667 vehicles, including 99,911 automobiles, 3,853 trucks, 964 truck tractors, 9,339 pickups, 5,746 vans, 701 minibuses, 24,981 motorcycles, 5,305 mopeds, 786 buses, 128 wheeled tractors, 1,227 utility vehicles, and 4,726 other vehicle types. Duplicated and paved avenues and numerous traffic lights facilitate city traffic, but the increase in the number of vehicles over the past decade has led to increasingly slow traffic, particularly in areas accessing the Third Bridge.
To alleviate congestion, the city hall has invested in projects such as the "bicycle network," creating a cycling ring around the city, connecting the entire Vila Velha waterfront to the city center with over 32 km of Bike path. This reduces the flow of cyclists and pedestrians on some of the city's main avenues.
The establishment of the Vila Velha Culture and Art Law (Law 4,573, enacted on 13 November 2007) provided tax incentives for cultural projects that promote artistic and cultural expressions in the city and strengthen the processes and structures of creative production. According to the municipality, from 2009 to 2012, approximately 200 projects benefited from this law, including book and CD launches, the production of documentaries, theater plays, and films, as well as activities related to crafts and visual arts, among others.
Several notable bands also originated in the city. The reggae band "Salvação" was founded in March 1996, and its debut album, "Altas Ondas Astrais," released in January 1999, sold over 15,000 copies. Casaca blends pop rock, Rock music, and reggae, originating in Barra do Jucu. Their first CD sold over 55,000 copies across Brazil. Mukeka di Rato, formed in 1995 in the genres of punk rock and hardcore punk, has performed at international festivals in countries such as Japan, the United States, and Sweden, and won an edition of the VMB award from MTV Brasil. The Macucos, also in the reggae genre, were formed in 1999 but gained national prominence after 2002, when they were noticed by music producer Liminha, who helped them secure a contract with Sony Music Entertainment. Rastaclone has been active since 1997, performing in reggae and rock styles. In the gospel music scene, the alternative metal band Polyphone stands out.
The city also hosts several theater festivals. One of the most prominent is the Children's Theater Festival, held annually since 1999. Various children's plays are performed by theater companies from across Espírito Santo and Brazil, with actors engaging interactively with the audience, primarily children. Although the festival is centered in Vila Velha, some performances also take place in Vitória. The 2011 edition attracted 25,926 attendees and featured 72 theater sessions. Additionally, the Dance Festival, organized by the Marista School Theater since 2011, and the Art Everywhere Week, also held by the Marista Theater since 2011, feature parades, theatrical performances, musicals, and dance shows. The Experimental Amateur Theater Group (Geta), in partnership with the Municipal Secretariat of Culture, periodically organizes theater projects with free acting workshops offered to the public.
In addition to theatrical events, Vila Velha hosts other significant cultural celebrations, including the Carnival of Vila Velha, featuring parades by various samba schools and live performances; the Feast of Penha, honoring Our Lady of Peñafrancia, established by Friar Pedro Palácios and considered the third largest religious festival in Brazil, attracting thousands of Catholics and tourists for processions, pilgrimages, and religious performances in the city streets and at the Penha Convent; the city's anniversary, celebrated with concerts and civic parades, officially on 23 May, though festivities span a week; the Chocolate Festival, held since 2009, showcasing the works and creations of Chocolates Garoto, one of the largest events of its kind in Brazil, attracting up to 180,000 visitors in some editions and selling around 800 kilograms of chocolate; Vila Velha Summer, integrated with the Independent Bands Festival, a series of events featuring cultural workshops, craft exhibitions, and performances by regional bands to promote their work; and New Year's Eve, featuring performances by regional or nationally known artists and fireworks displays at various points in the city. In the gospel scene, the Jesus Vida Verão stands out, featuring performances by various evangelical artists, both regional and nationally recognized, held annually since 1992.
The convent complex spans an area of 632,226 square meters, encompassing various monuments and attractions, such as the Friar Pedro Palácios Grotto, a natural cavity in the cliff where the convent stands, believed by some historians to have been the friar's first residence. In 1562, he built a chapel dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, now located in the area known as the convent square (Campinho). In the late 20th century, a museum and a shop selling food and small gifts were added. From the convent, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Vila Velha, Vitória, and, in the distance, the Atlantic Ocean.
Beyond the convent, several other attractions stand out in the city. The Prainha Historical Site is a complex that combines historical landmarks with new constructions built on reclaimed land. It includes the 38th Infantry Battalion, the Espírito Santo Apprentice Sailors School, the Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga, the Homero Massena Museum, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the obelisk to Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, the Flag Square, and the Memory House Museum, which houses valuable documents related to the municipality's colonization.
The Divine Holy Spirit Sanctuary, built in 1956 by Dom José Joaquim Gonçalves and inaugurated on 21 April 1967, is considered one of the largest of its kind in Brazil. The Madalena Bridge, constructed in 1896, connects the Jacarenema reserve to Barra do Jucu Beach. It is named after the Barra do Jucu Congo Band, made famous by the song "Madalena do Jucu" by Martinho da Vila. The Vale Museum, originally the Pedro Nolasco Station built in 1927, now houses a collection featuring a historic steam locomotive, a wooden carriage, a trolley, a telegraph, photographs, and more. The Santa Luzia Lighthouse, built in 1870, stands at the end of Praia da Costa. It measures 12 meters in height with a 9-square-meter base, and its 3,000-watt light reaches 17 nautical miles.
The city's main football stadiums are the Gil Bernardes da Silveira Stadium, home to Tupy, inaugurated in 1938 with a capacity for over 1,000 people; the SESI Araçás Stadium, home to Vilavelhense, built in 1996 with a capacity of 1,500 people; and the Glória Stadium, which has been used for training by Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Several neighborhoods in the city have reasonably equipped football fields, some with synthetic turf, bleachers, and fencing.
In addition to football, Vila Velha offers numerous facilities for other sports. Centro de Treinamento Arremessando para o Futuro (Vila Velha/Garoto/UVV) is the city's main basketball team, founded in May 2000, with its home at the João Goulart Municipal Gymnasium, which has a capacity of up to 3,500 people. The Espírito Santo Tennis League, established in May 2005, organizes its own tennis circuit in the state and oversees the sport's practice. Teams and championships also exist for sports such as futsal, volleyball, footvolley, American football, rhythmic gymnastics, and boxing.
Surfing is popular on some beaches, particularly at Barra do Jucu and Praia de Itaparica, where wave conditions support official tournaments and championships. Beach volleyball is also prominent, with the city occasionally hosting official national championships. The Espírito Santo Flying Club offers flights for parachuting over the city.
|
|
