Vila Velha is the oldest township in Espírito Santo, having been founded on
the 23 May 1535. First called Vila do Espírito Santo, it was founded by Vasco
Fernandes Coutinho and initially served as the capital of Espírito Santo.
Coutinho, owner of the Espírito Santo colony, was forced to return to Portugal
around 1550 in order to recruit new colonists, as there were not enough to
sustain the colony. Upon his return, however, he discovered that there had been
violent disputes between the colonists, slaves, and Indians, which had forced
most inhabitants to flee to the island of Vitória. In response, Coutinho
