Vasco Fernandes Coutinho (1490–1561) was a Portuguese fidalgo and the first donatary of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, a colonial territory in what is now

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

Biography

Vasco Fernandes Coutinho was born in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

. He was later amongst the first 12 volunteers from Portugal to come to the newly discovered land of

. In order to finance the crew and provisions needed to sail a single ship to Brazil, Coutinho sold everything he owned and took out loans. He was presented the area which became

Espírito Santo Espírito Santo (; ) is a state in southeastern Brazil. Its capital is Vitória, and its largest city is Serra. With an extensive coastline, the state hosts some of the country's main ports, and its beaches are significant tourist attracti ...

and administered the colony for 25 years, despite being a military man by trade. He founded both the first capital of Espírito Santo (today known as Vila Velha, "Old Town") and the current capital Vitória. During his administration Espírito Santo's first two churches – São João and Rosário, both in Vila Velha – were founded in 1551. Both are still standing.

References

External links

O Estado do Espirito Santo – Brasil
(port) , - 1490 births 1561 deaths Portuguese colonial governors and administrators People of Colonial Brazil Portuguese city founders 16th-century Portuguese people People from Serpa {{Brazil-mil-bio-stub