ilha das cobras is located at the shore of the central region of rio de janeiro, connected to the saúde neighborhood by a small bridge.

its name can be translated to english as 'snake island' and came to be because the first portuguese colonizers exploring guanabara bay found an unusual quantity of snakes living onthis island.

it was initially owned by a local slaver, before he was forced to sell it in 1589, to the monks from the local saint benedict monastery.