Fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones, Colonial fortress on Raton Grande island, Florianópolis, Brazil
The Fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones is a military structure on Raton Grande island that consists of multiple stone and brick buildings arranged around a central compound. The site includes a commander's residence, barracks for troops, and various support structures built into the granite landscape.
It was built in 1740 as part of the Portuguese military expansion along the Santa Catarina coast. The fortress was one of three fortifications designed to defend the bay of Florianópolis against attacks from the sea.
The Commander's House displays photographs documenting Portuguese military architecture, while the barracks showcase exhibits on the site's restoration work. Walking through these spaces shows how the fortress reflected Portuguese building traditions and daily military life.
To visit the site, travelers take a boat from several points in Florianópolis and should plan for several hours to explore it properly. The trip works best on calm weather days when seas are manageable.
In the early 1900s the site served as a quarantine station for people with cholera. Restoration work years later uncovered remains from that period.
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