Fortress of Saint Catherine

The Fortress of Saint Catherine is a military installation built with stone walls and bastions positioned at the mouth of the Paraiba River to control access to Cabedelo's port. It contains interior chambers and elevated vantage points that allow visitors to examine the fortification's construction and survey the surrounding waterways.

Portuguese engineers constructed this defensive structure in the early 1600s to shield their colonial holdings from pirate raids and foreign naval threats. The fortification remained vital for centuries due to its strategic position controlling maritime traffic and commercial routes.

The fortress embodies how Portuguese settlers approached coastal living and defense through architecture. The design and layout reveal the importance placed on monitoring shipping routes and controlling river access during the colonial era.

The site is open to visitors during regular hours and offers access to interior chambers and observation decks overlooking the river. Wear sturdy footwear since the stone surfaces can be uneven and some paths leading to higher points are steep.

The structure endured numerous naval clashes, particularly encounters with Dutch forces attempting to seize control of the strategic port position. Battle scars remain visible in the stonework today, serving as physical reminders of the intense conflicts that occurred at this location.