Garcia d'Ávila Tower House, Medieval ruins in Praia do Forte, Brazil
Casa da Torre de Garcia d'Ávila is a ruin in Mata de São João, Brazil, with remains of a hexagonal tower and stone walls on a hill above the Atlantic. The three-story structure still shows traces of arcades, galleries, and facades in Portuguese Renaissance style, surrounded by forest and overlooking the coast.
Construction began in 1551 when Garcia d'Ávila arrived with Governor Tomé de Sousa to build a fortified residence. The compound remained in his family's hands for over two centuries, controlling large territories in the northeast until it was abandoned in the 19th century.
The name recalls Garcia d'Ávila, a Portuguese nobleman whose family lived here for generations and managed vast estates. Today visitors see the remains of living quarters and defensive walls that show how a noble family lived and exercised power during colonial expansion in Brazil.
The ruin stands on elevated ground near the coast, accessible via a short drive from Praia do Forte. Guided tours help understand the layout while visitors need time to walk between the different sections of the ruin.
This structure is the only building in the Americas with military architecture from the Portuguese medieval period, featuring a hexagonal tower and defensive elements from the 16th century. The location allowed the family to monitor and control coastal land and cattle routes far into the interior.
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