fort · Governador Celso Ramos, SC
Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim
Designed by Brigadier José da Silva Paes and built from 1739 on Ilha de Anhatomirim, it was listed as national heritage in 1938. Restored by UFSC in partnership with Iphan, it's open to visitors and reached on boat trips.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim
The Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim occupies a small island at the northern entrance to Florianópolis's bay, in the municipality of Governador Celso Ramos. It was built from 1739 by Brigadier José da Silva Paes, the first governor of Santa Catarina, and was the main piece of a triangle of forts defending the entrance to the Baía Norte, along with the forts of Ratones and São José da Ponta Grossa, today also cared for by UFSC.
The fort has a sad chapter. In 1894, at the end of the Federalist Revolution, it served as a prison, and prisoners were executed by firing squad there. Listed as national heritage in 1938, it lay abandoned for decades until the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina took charge of it in 1979. Restored, it opened to visitors in 1984, and UFSC still manages it today. Tickets are sold online, and admission is free on the last Sunday of each month.
The visit takes you through the stone-and-lime buildings: the gateway, the troops' barracks, the commander's house, the powder magazine and the walls with cannons aimed at the sea. The view takes in the Baía Norte and the mainland.
Getting there is part of the outing. The surrounding waters form the APA de Anhatomirim, created in 1992 to protect the Guiana dolphin, a small dolphin that lives in the bay year-round. The resident population is estimated at 50 to 100 animals. Boats heading to the fort usually stop to watch the dolphins.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About an hour on the island; half a day with the boat trip.
Best time
Days with calm seas, for the crossing and for seeing the dolphins. The fort is closed on Mondays, including holidays. Admission is free on the last Sunday of each month.
How to get there
You can only get there by boat. UFSC doesn't provide transportation: schooners and tour boats leave from downtown Florianópolis, Canasvieiras and Governador Celso Ramos, and include a stop on the island.
Tip
Buy your fort ticket on the UFSC Fortalezas website and check whether your boat trip already includes admission. Animals are not allowed, except service dogs.
Official website
A look at the place
Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim
How do I get to the fort?
Only by boat. UFSC doesn't provide transportation: schooners and tour boats leave from downtown Florianópolis, Canasvieiras and Governador Celso Ramos.
Is the fort open on Mondays?
No. It's closed on Mondays, including holidays.
Is there a free admission day?
Yes. Admission to the fort is free on the last Sunday of each month. The boat is paid separately.
Can I see dolphins on the trip?
It's common. The surrounding waters are the APA de Anhatomirim, created to protect the Guiana dolphin, which lives in the bay year-round, and boats usually stop to watch them.
When was the fort built?
From 1739, by Brigadier José da Silva Paes. It has been in UFSC's care since 1979 and open to visitors since 1984.