The Santa Cruz Fortress in Anhatomirim, located in Governador Celso Ramos, Santa Catarina, began to be built in 1739 by Brigadier José Silva Paes, and is currently on a shortlist submitted to Unesco to become a World Heritage Site. Its name comes from the Tupi Guarani language and means “Island of the Little Devil”.
The historic structure built by the Portuguese to protect the beauty of Santa Catarina Island enchants around 100,000 visitors a year with its stories involving the Portuguese and Spanish, not to mention its majestic beauty.
It was the main point of the triangular defense system of the North Bay, which protected the island of Santa Catarina from foreign attacks. Complementing this system were the fortresses of São José da Ponta Grossa and Santo Antônio de Ratones.
Anhatomirim was the first fort to be built as part of the island's defensive system and had around 150 soldiers, 200 African slaves and hundreds of Indians. The complex consists of several buildings: the gatehouse, the troops' barracks, the commander's house, the armory, the town hall, the telegraph station and the jail.
It is possible to enter the watchtower, some of the buildings, touch and get close to the iron cannons and go around the island to see the whole structure of the place.
Second news from UFSC, They were built by the Portuguese Crown to guard the entrance to the North Bar of the island.
Anhatomirim portal with oriental aspects
The Portada is the main access to the Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim Fortress. The construction is of oriental influence and is accessed via a staircase made of lioz (a rare type of limestone that is very common in Portugal).
The Portuguese brought the limestone in the bottom of their ships. They served as ballast (counterweight for the ships). Later, when they arrived, they used the stones to build the fortresses. According to records, part of the entrance building was built with pieces brought straight from the East.
Stage for historic events
The defense system was built to protect the entrance of pirates, Spaniards or ships from other regions that were trying to invade the old Desterro, as Florianópolis was called at the time.
Anhatomirim Island was used as a hospital for the wounded in the War of the Triple Alliance. During the Federalist Revolution, it was occupied by armed rebels. During the time of Floriano Peixoto, around 180 political prisoners were arrested and exiled and shot on the island.
After World War II, the site was abandoned.
The Santa Cruz Fortress was listed as an artistic and national heritage site in 1938 and unfortunately remained abandoned for years, until in 1970 it became the responsibility of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and had to be restored to preserve its history.
Anhatomirim Fortress today
The fortresses in Santa Catarina are currently managed by UFSC and thanks to this good management they are the largest and best preserved military architecture complexes in Brazil, and one of the main tourist attractions in Santa Catarina.
The work began Island's defensive system, It was later expanded with dozens more fortifications, such as forts, batteries and trenches.
Speaking of art and history, like the other Brazilian fortresses of the 18th century, Santa Cruz has traces of Renaissance influence.
From Anhatomirim Island, where its historic buildings are spread out on several levels over an area of approximately 45,000 m², a magnificent panorama stretches out on all sides.
As with the other fortresses, the project relies on the
Visiting Route
- Access - mooring / pier
- Box Office
- Beach Warehouse
- (snack bar / souvenir store) 4. Lioz Staircase
- Shutter
- Gunpowder magazine
- (exhibition hall)
- Remnants of the old chapel
- Commander's House
- (exhibition hall)
- House of Flour
- Low battery
- Dungeon
- Guarita
- Porches
- Cannons
- Fogo Cruzado 17. Water Fountain
- Troop barracks
- (exhibition room) 19. Tree of the Hanged
- Radiotelegraph station
- Power Plant
- New Gunpowder magazine
Take the Virtual Tour of the Fortress
You can take a virtual tour of the Anhatomirim Fortress, presented at the 2016 Training Course for Cultural and Environmental Conductors for the Anhatomirim APA. If you can't see it, go to this link: https://prezi.com/kxl49n1nbcs8/curso-de-capacitacao-de-condutores-culturais-e-ambientais/
You can find out more about the fortresses here: https://fortalezas.ufsc.br/.
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