Forte de São João Batista do Brum, Military fort and museum in Recife, Brazil
The Forte de São João Batista do Brum is a stone fortress with thick walls and old cannons that once faced the ships in the harbor. The site still shows its original layout with different rooms, staircases, and viewpoints from which the sea could be monitored.
The fortress was built in 1630 to secure Portuguese control over the coast. Later it served under other powers as a military station until it was eventually turned into a museum.
The museum displays weapons, coins, and documents from the period when the Portuguese controlled the region. Visitors can understand how colonial rule shaped life in this area.
The site can be explored on foot, though the ground is uneven in places and the stairs can be steep. Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended and you should allow time to explore all areas.
From the walls one could spot a ship from far away before it reached the harbor. Defenders used this strategic advantage to prepare for incoming threats.
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