500 Years Monument
By Niemeyer.
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Madalena capobianchi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ... rocaco — CC BY 3.0 · Captain Bill 2010 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Ilha Porchat, «Porchat Island», is a rocky headland between the bays of São Vicente and Santos. It was never a true island, only cut off from the mainland at high tide, then joined by a bridge and now by an ordinary road. It is named after the Swiss Porchat family from Geneva, who owned it in the 19th century; it once had a casino frequented by the wealthy, and today it is covered with houses, clubs and restaurants. Its best-known feature is the «500 Years Monument» at the top, designed by Oscar Niemeyer to mark five centuries since the Portuguese reached Brazil and aligned geographically towards the National Congress in Brasília. It opened in 2002 and reopened after a 14-month renovation begun in June 2025, with a wide view over the São Vicente waterfront and Santos Bay. The viewpoint is free and open 24 hours.
By Niemeyer.
Over Santos Bay.
Between two bays.
Between the São Vicente and Santos bays, São Vicente
Yes, it reopened after renovation and is free, open 24 hours.