Fortresses of the Santa Catarina Island Department (DFISC)
UFSC Fortresses of the Santa Catarina Island Department (DFISC) is the administrative unit responsible for the management, stewardship, maintenance and conservation of the Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim, São José da Ponta Grossa and Santo Antônio de Ratones fortresses, which are currently administered by the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.
About the fortresses
The three UFSC fortresses formed part of the defensive system established by the Portuguese Crown in 1739 to protect the northern entrance to Santa Catarina Island. They were designated National Historic Heritage sites in 1938, and their preservation is also the responsibility of the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN).
After a period of abandonment and deterioration, the fortresses were restored under UFSC’s coordination during the 1980s and 1990s, in partnership with IPHAN and other institutions. The Fortress of Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim has been under UFSC’s management since 1979 and was opened to the public in 1984. The Fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones has been managed by UFSC since 1991 and was opened to the public the following year. The Fortress of São José da Ponta Grossa, opened to the public in 1992, has also been managed by the University since then.
The fortresses are open to the public for tourism, educational, cultural and leisure activities. They also serve as venues for UFSC’s teaching, research and outreach activities.
The São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress is located in Praia do Forte (Fort Beach), in the northern part of Santa Catarina island, and can be reached by road. By contrast, the Santa Cruz and Santo Antônio Fortresses areaccessible only by boat, as they are located on Anhatomirim and Ratones Islands, respectively, in the northern bay of Santa Catarina Island. UFSC is not responsible for transportatin to the islands; this service is provided by marine transport companies operating in the region.
An admission fee is charged for entry to UFSC fortresses, which are open to the public year-round. Revenue from admission fees is used to maintain the monuments and support visitor servies. Public schools may request an exemption from the admission fee in advance.
The fortresses are also available for cultural and artistic events, weddings, product launches, photo shoots and other short-term activities. Permission for the temporary use of their spaces, as well as for image use, is governed by a specific call for proposals.
For information about other fortifications in Santa Catarina, Brazil and abroad, visit the fortalezas.org website, an international database of fortified heritage developed and managed by UFSC.
:: Learn more about the UFSC fortresses here.
:: Access the book Fortresses of the Island: a visit to the past (English version available) here.
DFISC
The office is located on the second floor of the Culture and Events Center at UFSC (see map).
Coordinator: Rodolfo Pimenta Augustinho dos Santos
Phone: +55 48 3721-8302
E-mail: fortalezas@contato.ufsc.br
Website: fortalezas.ufsc.br
