praia grande (big beach) in niterói today is everything but famous, yet the city was at one point named after this very beach. the local settlement, called vila real da praia grande, was founded in 1696 and became an important hub of industry and commerce for rio de janeiro in the 18th century. during a visit from king joão vi in 1816, the people of vila real da praia grande showed great enthusiasm and support for the crown.
