Vitoria Tourist Attractions

Santa Luzia

The chapel of Santa Luzia (1551; national monument) in Rua José Marcelino (upper town) is the oldest building on the island. It is now occupied by an art gallery and a research center of the University of Espírito Santo.

Igreja do Rosário

The Igreja do Rosário (Church of the Rosary; 1765) is in Rua do Rosário, to the right of Praça da Catedral.

Museu Solar Monjardim

At the end of Avenida Paulino Müller (Jacutuquara district) is the Museu Solar Monjardim, housed in an 18th century mansion which is one of the finest examples of Brazilian rural architecture.

São Gonçalo

The church of São Gonçalo is on Rua São Gonçalo, to the left of Praça da Catedral (reached by way of Rua Francisco Araújo). Both churches are protected as national monuments.

Morro da fonte Grande

The Morro da Fonte Grande ("Hill of the Great Spring"; 312m/1024ft), 5km/3mi from the center, between the Jacutuquara and Santo Antônio districts, is the highest point within the area of the town. From the summit, on which there are a number of radio aerials, there are fine views of Vitória and its bay.

Palácio Domingos Martins

The Palácio Domingos Martins, built in 1606 on the site of an earlier church of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia, is now occupied by the Parliament of Espírito Santo. The palace is named after Domingos José Martins, one of the leaders of the Pernambuco revolution of 1817, who was born in Espírito Santo.

São Francisco

On the Colina de São Francisco (upper town) are the ruins of the friary of São Francisco, the building of which was begun by a friar named Antônio dos Mártires in 1591. It was the first Franciscan building outside north-eastern Brazil.

Baía de Vitória

The wide expanse of Vitória Bay, dotted with small islands, is dominated by two of the town's landmarks, the Penedo Crag and the Castelo de Mendonça Bridge.

Capixaba Craft Market

Craft Market

In the Mercado Capixaba de Artesanato (Capixaba Craft Market), in Avenida Princesa Isabel, fashion jewelry, ceramics and a great variety of articles made from straw, shells, wood and other materials are offered for sale.

Carlos Gomes Theatre

The Carlos Gomes Theatre (1927) on Praça Costa Pereira (to the east of Praça D. Luís Scortegagna and below the Rosary church) is the oldest theatre in Espírito Santo.

Castelo de Mendonça

Castelo de Mendonça Bridge

The Ponte Darcy Castelo de Mendonça, also known as the Terceira Ponte (Third Bridge), links the ends of the bay. Since its construction the time required to reach Vila Velha (13km/8mi) has been reduced by ten minutes.

Gruta da Onça

At the end of Rua Barão de Bonjardim, near Avenida Princesa Isabel, is the Gruta da Onça ("Panther's Cave"), a small mata atlântica reserve with an orchid garden and a mineral spring.

Moscoso Park

In Moscoso Park (area 48,000sq.m/57,400sq.yds), in the town center (to the west of the Colina de São Francisco), are a number of lakes, a small zoo, an amusement park, a chapel and a fountain which is illuminated at night.

Palácio Anchieta

On Praça João Climaco (upper town) is the Palácio Anchieta, now housing the state government but originally a Jesuit college, with the church of São Tiago (17th century).

Pedra dos Dois Olhos

6km/4mi from the town center, between the Jacutuquara and Maruípe districts, is the Pedra dos Dois Olhos ("Rock of the Two Eyes"; 136m/446ft), also known as the Pico do Frei Leonardi. The "eyes" are two cavities carved out by erosion.

Cathedral

Rua José Marcelino leads to Praça D. Luís Scortegagna, in which is the Cathedral (1918).

Parque Tancredo Neves

Tancredo Neves Park, with gardens and various sports facilities, is reached by way of Avenida Getúlio Vargas, which runs along the coast.

Penedo Crag

The Penedo Crag is a massive block of granite 136m/446ft high which rises out of the sea, guarding the entrance to the bay.

Ilha do Frade

Another bridge links the Ilha da Vitória with the Ilha do Frade ("Friar's Island"; area 38sq.km/15sq.mi), 8km/5mi from Vitória. Its small beaches, fringed by rocks and reefs, attract mainly water sports enthusiasts (rowers, wind-surfers). Reached by way of Avenida Beira-Mar.

Ilha do Boi

The Ilha do Boi ("Ox Island"), 7km/4.3mi from the town center, was formerly used for keeping cattle in quarantine before they were taken to the various settlements on the mainland. It is now very different, with some of the town's most luxurious villas. There are a number of small beaches on the island, on which various water sports are practised.

Praia do Suá

5km/3mi north of the town, near the Ilha do Boi, is the Praia do Suá. This is the starting-point of the procession of boats which celebrates the feast of St Paul (June 29th).

Praia do Canto

The Praia do Canto (6km/4mi from the town center) is one of Vitória's most popular resorts, with its many bars and its Parque dos Namorados ("Lovers' Park"; gardens, sports facilities, skateboard rink).

There is a very popular craft market in the park on Saturdays.

Praia de Camburi

Tubarão Harbor

Avenida Dante Michellini leads to the Praia do Camburi (9km/5.6mi), a great center of night life. The beach ends at the Tubarão promontory, on which is Tubarão Harbor, the most important port for the shipment of iron ore from Minas Gerais.