Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, captain of Espírito Santo

Vasco Fernandes Coutinho
Born	1490 Serpa, Portugal
Died	1561 Vila Velha, Portuguese colony of Brazil
Noble family	Mello Coutinho
Father	Jorge de Melo
Mother	Branca Coutinho
Religion	Roman Catholic

Vasco Fernandes Coutinho (1490–1561) was a Portuguese fidalgo and the first donatary of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo.

Vasco Fernandes Coutinho was born in Portugal. He was later amongst the first 12 volunteers from Portugal to come to the newly discovered land which came to be known as Brazil. He was presented the area which became Espírito Santo and administered the colony for 25 years, despite being a military man by trade.

He founded the first capital Espirito Santo (now 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 (1551). Both are still standing.

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