The Santa Catarina coast from above

Fortresses and historical sites of Florianópolis — forts, Ponte Hercílio Luz, old center

checked 42 sources · 7 min readTranslated from the Russian original
In short

Three 18th-century fortresses — Ponta Grossa, Ratones and Anhatomirim — are managed by UFSC university: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–18:30, entrance R$ 20, reduced R$ 10, phone (48) 3721-8302. Ponta Grossa is reachable by land from Praia do Forte, the island forts only by private companies' boats. Anhatomirim has been closed since November 2026 for pier repairs. On weekends and holidays Ponte Hercílio Luz is open only to pedestrians and cyclists. The old center — Praça XV with the ficus, the cathedral, Casa da Alfândega on Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 141.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] — listed at the end of the page.

UFSC fortresses: tickets and rules

The fortresses were conceived by Brigadier José da Silva Paes as a “fiery triangle” defending the northern bay. All three are now under the administration of UFSC.

  • Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30–18:30, including holidays; entry until 18:00; closed on Monday.
  • Ticket: R$ 20, reduced R$ 10; for Ratones and Anhatomirim together — R$ 30 and R$ 15. Free: over 60, children under 5, wheelchair users, school groups by request. The last Sunday of the month from March to November — free entry for everyone.
  • Payment: online at fortalezas.eventos.ufsc.br; at the entrance on the islands cash only, at Ponta Grossa cash or PIX.
  • The islands are reached only by private companies' boats; UFSC does not provide transport or guides, and guides on the schooners give the commentary.
  • Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs; there is no café, picnics are allowed, alcohol and fires are not. Elevators at Ratones and Ponta Grossa do not work, there are ramps; Anhatomirim is almost inaccessible to people with disabilities.

Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim is on an island in the municipality of Governador Celso Ramos, and since November 2026 it has been closed to visitors for pier repairs; UFSC promises to announce the reopening date separately.

Ponta Grossa — Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa

Neighborhood Praia do Forte, point on the map -27.4315, -48.5179.

Built from 1740 on a hill above Praia do Forte, about 25 km from the center. In 1938 it was placed under protection, by then in complete ruin; restored in 1991–1992. The only one of the three reached by land. For the nearby beach, see Beaches of northern Florianópolis — from Daniela to Santinho.

Bateria de São Caetano

Neighborhood Praia do Forte, point on the map -27.4320, -48.5155.

Ruins of the 1765 battery about 200 m from the Ponta Grossa fortress, closer to Jurerê beach.

Ratones — Fortaleza de Santo Antônio de Ratones

Ratones Grande island, point on the map -27.4720, -48.5618.

Built from 1740 on an island in the northern bay, protected since 1938, main restoration in 1990–1991, a new one opened in 2023, with a new pier. The trail across the island is temporarily closed. Only by boat.

Ponte Hercílio Luz

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5938, -48.5659.

The suspension bridge to the mainland, opened on 13 May 1926, closed in 1982 and reopened on 30 December 2019. On weekends and holidays — only for pedestrians and cyclists (decree 21.075, since February 2020); on weekdays pedestrians and bicycles use the side walkways, motorcycles and trucks are prohibited. Since July 2026 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 20:00 to midnight the bridge is closed to cars for repairs, pedestrian access is left open.

Forte Sant'Ana

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5932, -48.5637.

A small fort under Ponte Hercílio Luz on the Beira-Mar Norte side, housing the Military Police weapons museum (Museu de Armas Major Lara Ribas). Check on site whether the museum is currently open.

Forte de Santa Bárbara

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.6003, -48.5492.

A fort on the old shoreline of the center, already marked on the 1774 plan as the “new fort”; in the 1970s it was planned to be demolished for the Baía Sul landfill, under federal protection since 1984. Now it houses the Navy's cultural center (Centro Cultural da Marinha em Santa Catarina), Rua Antônio Luz, 260.

Praça XV — Praça XV de Novembro

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5975, -48.5498.

The main square of the old center. A huge ficus (Figueira) was planted around 1870; UFSC researchers have not determined how exactly it was brought to the city. The tree is under constant monitoring and care.

Cathedral — Catedral Metropolitana de Florianópolis

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5964, -48.5493.

The metropolitan cathedral above Praça XV, on the site of the former main church of the city (Igreja Matriz).

Casa da Alfândega

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5976, -48.5518.

The old customs house building at Praça XV, Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 141 — an IPHAN-protected site; in January 2026 a permit for works on it was issued.

Museu da Escola Catarinense

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5980, -48.5484.

A UDESC university museum, Rua Saldanha Marinho, 196. According to the 2023 program — Mon–Fri 13:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–16:00, free entry, phone (48) 3664-8110; hours for 2026 should be confirmed.

Igreja Nossa Senhora da Lapa

Neighborhood Ribeirão da Ilha, point on the map -27.7183, -48.5632.

An 1806 church in the center of the Azorean settlement of Ribeirão da Ilha, among old houses along Rodovia Baldicero Filomeno. For the settlement, see Bayside and mainland beaches of Florianópolis — Santo Antônio, Sambaqui, Ribeirão, Coqueiros.

Rock art — Costão do Santinho

Neighborhood Santinho, point on the map -27.4686, -48.3760.

An open-air museum on the rocks by Santinho beach: petroglyphs of the pre-colonial population who lived on the coast about 6,500 years ago. Free entry, 30–40 minutes from the beach along a marked trail.

Museu Naval

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.6003, -48.5491.

Other name: Centro Cultural da Marinha em Santa Catarina. Shows the collection of Instituto Soto from Bombinhas, gathered by teacher Jules Marcelo Rosa Soto. The 18th-century building stands on a small rocky islet which is now part of the Baía Sul landfill, just below the Imperial Hospital de Caridade. The building is under the responsibility of the Brazilian Navy.

Casarão e Engenho dos Andrades

Neighborhood Santo Antônio de Lisboa, point on the map -27.5197, -48.5163.

Built in 1860: a residential house and a mill as one complex. Protected by the state cultural foundation (FCC) since 2002. Address: Caminho dos Açores, 1180, Santo Antônio de Lisboa.

Memorial da Procuradoria da República em Santa Catarina

Neighborhood Agronômica, point on the map -27.5737, -48.5303.

Phone: (48) 2107-6230. Opened in 2014.

Museu Contador Renato Gonçalves

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5905, -48.5624.

Maintained by the Regional Accounting Council of Santa Catarina (Conselho Regional de Contabilidade de Santa Catarina). Address: Avenida Osvaldo Rodrigues Cabral, 1900, Centro, CEP 88015-710. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 18:00. Free entry. Opened in 2002.

Museu da Imagem e do Som de Santa Catarina

Neighborhood Agronômica, point on the map -27.5770, -48.5259.

Opened in 1998. Maintained by Fundação Catarinense de Cultura. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00. Free entry.

Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia

Neighborhood Carvoeira, point on the map -27.6023, -48.5239.

Open Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, entry until 18:30. Address: rua Engenheiro Agronômico Andrei Cristian Ferreira s/n, UFSC campus in Trindade. Free visit.

Museu do Presépio

Neighborhood Estreito, point on the map -27.5905, -48.5855.

Opened in 2002. Free entry. Address: Rua Afonso Pena, 1070, Estreito, CEP 88070-650. The building is under municipal protection by the Florianópolis city hall.

Anhatomirim — Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim

Municipality Governador Celso Ramos, point on the map -27.4272, -48.5645.

Since November 2026 the fort is temporarily closed to visitors: the pier is being repaired. The island fortresses are managed by UFSC university through the Departamento das Fortalezas (DFISC). In normal times the fortresses are open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 to 18:30, including holidays. Founded in 1739.

Ecomuseu do Ribeirão da Ilha

Point on the map -27.7412, -48.5589.

Opened in 1971. Entry R$ 6, with discounts for students, guides with groups, teachers, children and the elderly. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Casarão da Família Gerlach

Municipality São José, point on the map -27.6154, -48.6279.

The house was built by merchant José Antônio de Pinho in the 1840s–1850s. In 1902 it was bought by Polish immigrant Gottlieb Burgastaller Gerlach. Since 2006 it houses the municipal foundation of culture and tourism of São José, with a library on the ground floor. Visits and book lending are free. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00, and also on Sundays on Feira da Freguesia fair days.

Museu Histórico Gilberto Gerlach

Municipality São José, point on the map -27.6158, -48.6270.

The municipal historical museum of São José. The city announced the name Gilberto Gerlach on 23 September 2021. Founded in 1988.

Capela do Divino Espírito Santo

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5932, -48.5460.

Operator: Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo. A historic chapel.

Casa da Literatura Catarinense Poeta Cruz e Sousa

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5977, -48.5492.

A museum.

Casa da Memória Annita Hoepcke da Silva

Neighborhood Centro, point on the map -27.5964, -48.5488.

Date of foundation or construction: 30 Mar 2004. Operator: Fundação Cultural de Florianópolis Franklin Cascaes. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 13:00–19:00; Sat, Sun, holidays closed. A museum.

Fundação Hassis

Neighborhood Itaguaçu, point on the map -27.6157, -48.5904.

Date of foundation or construction: 2001. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:30–17:00; Sat, Sun, holidays closed. A museum.

Museu do Naufrágio

Neighborhood Santinho, point on the map -27.4439, -48.3704.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 13:00–20:00. A museum.

Sources

  1. T1UFSC, island forts — opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–18:30, including holidaysfortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  2. T1UFSC, island forts — entrance fees, free day, payment methodsfortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  3. T1UFSC, island forts — rules: animals, food, accessibility, guidesfortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  4. T1UFSC — Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa: 1740, restoration 1991–1992, Bateria de São Caetanofortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  5. T1UFSC — Fortaleza de Santo Antônio de Ratones: 1740, island Ratones Grandefortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  6. T1UFSC, 29 Oct 2026 — Anatomirin closed from November 2026 for pier repairsfortalezas.ufsc.br · primary source
  7. T2CREA-SC — Hercílio Luz Bridge: opened in 1926, closed in 1982, reopened 30 Dec 2019portal.crea-sc.org.br · secondary source
  8. T2NSC Total — decree 21.075: on weekends and holidays the bridge is for pedestrians and cyclists onlynsctotal.com.br · secondary source
  9. T2NSC Total, Jul 2026 — nightly closures of the bridge to cars on Tuesdays and Thursdaysnsctotal.com.br · secondary source
  10. T2UFSC, E. Veiga, 2010 — history of Forte de Santa Bárbara, federal protection since 1984cidadesfortificadas.paginas.ufsc.br · secondary source
  11. T1IPHAN SC, January 2026 — decision on Antiga Alfândega de Florianópolis, Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 141gov.br · primary source
  12. T2NSC Total, 17 Mar 2024 — open-air museum Costão do Santinho: free, trail 30–40 minutesnsctotal.com.br · secondary source
  13. T2NSC Total — ficus at Praça XV: planted around 1870, UFSC studynsctotal.com.br · secondary source
  14. T2OpenStreetMap and Wikidata — place points on the map, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbLopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  15. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  16. T1alesc.sc.gov.br — Alternate name: Centro Cultural da Marinha em Santa Catarina. Shows the Instituto Soto collection from Bombinhasalesc.sc.gov.br · primary source
  17. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  18. T1cultura.sc.gov.br — Built in 1860: residential house and flour mill as one complex.cultura.sc.gov.br · primary source
  19. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  20. T1cadastro.museus.gov.br — Phone: (48) 2107-6230.cadastro.museus.gov.br · primary source
  21. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  22. T1cadastro.museus.gov.br — Maintained by the Regional Accounting Council of Santa Catarina (Conselho Regional de Contabilidade de Santa Catarina).cadastro.museus.gov.br · primary source
  23. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  24. T1cadastro.museus.gov.br — Opened in 1998.cadastro.museus.gov.br · primary source
  25. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  26. T1marque.ufsc.br — Open from Tuesday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, entry until 18:30.marque.ufsc.br · primary source
  27. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  28. T1cadastro.museus.gov.br — Opened in 2002.cadastro.museus.gov.br · primary source
  29. T2wikidata.org — Building under the protection of Prefeitura de Florianópolis.wikidata.org · secondary source
  30. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  31. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  32. T1cadastro.museus.gov.br — Opened in 1971.cadastro.museus.gov.br · primary source
  33. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  34. T1saojose.sc.gov.br — The house was built by merchant José Antônio de Pinho in the 1840–1850s.saojose.sc.gov.br · primary source
  35. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  36. T1saojose.sc.gov.br — Municipal Historical Museum of São José.saojose.sc.gov.br · primary source
  37. T2wikidata.org — Founded in 1988.wikidata.org · secondary source
  38. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  39. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  40. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  41. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source
  42. T2openstreetmap.org — location of the place on the mapopenstreetmap.org · secondary source

T1 — primary: law, agency site, price list. T2 — secondary: press, specialist sites. T3 — other.

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