Angra dos Reis history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Angra dos Reis is inextricably linked to the Age of Discovery. A Portuguese expedition commanded by Gonçalo Coelho entered the picturesque bay on January 6, 1502. Since the discovery coincided with the Christian feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings' Day), the location was named "Bay of Kings" (Angra dos Reis).

Permanent settlement of the territory began in 1556, and the settlement received official town status (Vila) in 1608, becoming one of the oldest colonial centres in Brazil.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into an important city was driven by a combination of natural and economic factors:

• Strategic Geography: The deep bay protected by islands (Ilha Grande Bay) created ideal conditions for a port, sheltered from storms and convenient for defence.
• Agriculture: The humid climate and fertile coastal soils fostered the rapid development of sugar cane plantations, and later, coffee.
• Trade Routes: The city became a vital transit point for exporting colonial goods to Europe, playing a significant role in the region's maritime logistics.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first centuries of its existence, Angra dos Reis formed as a typical colonial port with strong religious influence:

• Agrarian Economy: City life revolved around the "engenho"—sugar mills and processing facilities. In the 19th century, the region experienced an economic boom thanks to coffee plantations in the Paraíba Valley.
• Architectural Heritage: A significant contribution to the cultural landscape was made by religious orders—Jesuits, Carmelites, and Benedictines. They built majestic monasteries and churches, many of which have survived to this day.
• Maritime Lifestyle: Fishing and ship maintenance have always remained an important part of daily life for local residents, shaping a unique coastal culture.

Chronology of City Development

• January 6, 1502: A Portuguese expedition commanded by Gonçalo Coelho discovered the bay on the Feast of the Epiphany.
• 1556: Permanent settlement of the coast began, along with the construction of the first permanent structures.
• 1608: The settlement received "Vila" (town) status and gained administrative independence.
• 1623: Construction of the Carmelite Convent was completed, becoming an important spiritual centre for the region.
• March 28, 1835: Angra dos Reis officially received city status (cidade) due to its economic growth.
• Mid-19th Century: The city's port reached its peak activity, serving as a key export point for coffee from the Paraíba Valley.
• 1959: Foundation of the major Verolme shipyard, marking the beginning of the industrial era.
• 1970s: Construction of the Rio-Santos highway (BR-101), opening the region to mass automotive tourism.
• 1985: The first nuclear power plant in Brazil, "Angra-1", was put into commercial operation.
• 2001: The launch of the second power unit of the nuclear station, "Angra-2", took place.
• 2019: Ilha Grande, part of the municipality, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Main Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Angra dos Reis is a journey from a colonial port to a modern industrial and tourism hub. Each era has left its mark on the architecture, economy, and lifestyle of the city.

• Coffee Boom and Port Flourishing (19th Century)
  In the mid-19th century, the city became one of Brazil's key ports for exporting coffee grown in the Paraíba River valley. This economic rise led to active urban development: wealthy mansions ("sobrados") were erected, port infrastructure developed, and in 1835 Angra officially received city status, cementing its administrative importance.
• Industrial Breakthrough: Verolme Shipyard (1959)
  The founding of a major shipyard (now BrasFELS) was a turning point that transformed a quiet provincial town into an industrial centre. This event caused a sharp influx of labour, stimulated housing construction, and diversified the economy, which had previously depended on agriculture and fishing.
• Overcoming Isolation: Rio-Santos Highway (1970s)
  The construction of the federal highway BR-101 (Rio-Santos) radically changed the region's logistics. The road connected Angra with the country's largest metropolises, making the coast accessible for mass tourism and opening a new era in the development of resort infrastructure.
• Atomic Era and Modernisation (1970–1980s)
  The government's decision to locate nuclear power plants in the municipality ("Angra-1" and later "Angra-2") brought massive state investment. The construction of the nuclear complex required the modernisation of the road network, power supply systems, and urban environment to meet the needs of thousands of specialists and their families.
• Global Recognition of Heritage (2019)
  The inclusion of Ilha Grande (part of the municipality) in the UNESCO World Heritage list marked a shift in priorities towards sustainable development. This event highlighted the importance of preserving the unique ecosystem and historical landscape, stimulating the development of international ecotourism as a new economic pillar for the region.

Colonial Period and Baroque (17th–18th Centuries)

The architectural core of Angra dos Reis was formed under the influence of Portuguese urban planning traditions and the activities of Catholic orders. The layout of the city during this period developed organically around the port and religious centres, with narrow, winding streets.

• Style: Portuguese Colonial Baroque. This style is characterised by strict, austere white facades contrasting with rich interior decoration of temples (altars with gilded carvings).
• Landmark Structures:
  • Convent of São Bernardino de Sena (Convento de São Bernardino de Sena): Built by the Franciscans (consecrated in 1763). The complex includes a church and monastery buildings on a hill dominating the centre.
  • Convent of Carmo (Convento do Carmo): Founded in the early 17th century, distinguished by the massiveness of its forms and simplicity of lines.
  • Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Igreja Matriz): The main Catholic church of the city, combining Baroque and Rococo elements in its interior.

Civil Architecture of the 19th Century

During the "coffee cycle" era, the city experienced an economic boom, which was reflected in housing construction. In this period, the classic appearance of the central streets was formed.

• Typology: The dominant type of development became "sobrados"—two-story urban mansions. The ground floor was traditionally used for trade or storage, and the first floor for living quarters.
• Stylistics: The facade design shows the influence of late Classicism: tall windows, wrought-iron balconies, symmetry, and the use of decorative cornices.
• Urbanism: The design of public spaces, such as General Osório Square, which became the centre of social life for the bourgeoisie of that time.

Modernism and the Industrial Era (20th Century)

In the second half of the 20th century, the architectural vector shifted sharply towards functionalism due to the large-scale industrialisation of the region (shipbuilding and nuclear energy).

• Style: Modernism and Brutalism. The use of reinforced concrete, simple geometric forms, and a utilitarian approach to design.
• Urban Development:
  • Workers' Villages (Vilas Operárias): Construction of residential areas (for example, Mambucaba) for employees of the nuclear power plant and the Verolme shipyard. These districts were designed according to the principles of micro-district development with their own infrastructure.
  • Resort Architecture: After the opening of the Rio-Santos highway, the coast began to be built up with hotels and private villas, often using elements of modern Brazilian architecture integrated into the tropical landscape.

Outstanding Figures in the City's History

The history of Angra dos Reis is connected with the names of great navigators, monarchs, and cultural figures who played a key role in the discovery, development, and celebration of this region.

• Gonçalo Coelho
  Navigator and Explorer (15th–16th Centuries)
  Commander of the first Portuguese expedition that entered Ilha Grande Bay on January 6, 1502. It was his expedition that mapped this region, naming it in honour of the Day of the Three Kings. His voyage marked the beginning of the city's European history.
• Amerigo Vespucci (Américo Vespúcio)
  Florentine Navigator and Cartographer (1454–1512)
  Participated in Coelho's expedition as a pilot and cartographer. Vespucci was one of the first Europeans to admire the beauty of the local nature. His records and maps contributed to popularising the new continent in Europe.
• Raul Pompéia
  Writer and Abolitionist (1863–1895)
  A famous Brazilian writer born directly in Angra dos Reis. Author of the classic novel "The Athenaeum" (O Ateneu). He is one of the most significant figures of Brazilian realism and naturalism, and also actively campaigned for the abolition of slavery.
• Pedro II (Dom Pedro II)
  Emperor of Brazil (1825–1891)
  The monarch frequently visited the region, especially Ilha Grande (administratively part of Angra). By his decree, the Lazareto was built there—a quarantine hospital for immigrants arriving in Brazil, the ruins of which are an important historical attraction today.
• Mário Peixoto
  Film Director and Writer (1908–1992)
  Author of the cult avant-garde film "Limite" (1931), which is considered one of the greatest works of Brazilian cinema. Peixoto lived and drew inspiration on Ilha Grande, where he filmed many scenes of his masterpiece.
• Luthero Luiz
  Theatre and Film Actor (1931–1990)
  A native of Angra dos Reis who became a well-known character actor in Brazilian cinema and television. He played numerous roles during the heyday of "Cinema Novo" and in popular telenovelas, maintaining a connection with his hometown.