Reis Magos
Jesuit façade.
Ricardo Freitas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Freitas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Freitas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Freitas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Freitas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rômulo Gama Ferreira from Vitória-ES — CC BY 2.0 · Julia Nogueira — CC BY-SA 4.0
Nova Almeida is a coastal district of Serra, the most populous municipality in Espírito Santo, north of the capital, Vitória. It combines a quiet beach with history going back to the sixteenth century, and is known for its seafood restaurants and easy-going feel. Right above the beach stands the Jesuit church of Reis Magos, its white façade picked out in blue, one of the oldest buildings in the state. It grew around a mission village the Jesuits founded around 1568; the church was built between 1580 and 1615 with the help of the Tupiniquim people and opened on 6 January 1615. After the Jesuits were expelled in 1759, the complex became a town hall and jail. The national heritage service listed it in 1943, and it reopened in June 2024 after a major restoration, now housing a history interpretation centre. A day in Nova Almeida combines swimming, a walk on the sand and a visit to the landmark, followed by a seafood meal in one of the local restaurants.
Jesuit façade.
Below the landmark.
Local dishes.
Nova Almeida, Serra, north of Vitória, Espírito Santo
Yes, it reopened in 2024 after restoration and houses an interpretation centre.