When our friends from Germany - Thomas and Conny - came to Brazil (March 2018), we (A.R. Leão and I), proposed them to visit the Fortress Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim. This fortress was built by the Portuguese in 1739 in order to protect the island against foreign invasions. It is located on the Anhatomirim island, between the north of Santa Catarina island (Florianópolis) and the main land (see map). In Florianópolis island, there was another fortress (Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa) and both, with their cannons, could reach any boat trying to cross this sea path. Actually, that was not true, since these fortresses were too far from each other. The history tell us that these military constructions were never employed (for this purpose).
Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim had, however, another sad role. After Brazil became a republic (1889), there were several monarchist reactions in Brazil, including here in Santa Catarina state. And 185 monarchist people were shot and/or hanged in Anhatomirim Island under the orders of Marechal Floriano Peixoto, a republican. Even today, it is felt, by Santa Catarina people, as a brutal and unacceptable event.
In spite of this sad context, this fortress is among the nicest and biggest Portuguese colonial buildings in Brazil. It is one of the most visited monuments in Brazil by foreigns and Brazilians tourists.
In this folder there are also some pictures taken on the road to reach Anhatomirim and also some taken after the visit. I used my Canon 6D and old Canons lenses, the (all plastic) 28-80mm and the 75-300mm.