Morro da Cruz

The Morro da Cruz, also known as Massif do Morro da Cruz or Massif Central de Florianópolis, is a rock formation located in the insular part of the city. With a slightly sinuous shape, with an average width of 800 m, Morro da Cruz extends for almost 5 km towards the North and South Bays. At its peak, 285 m high, are the Mirante do Morro da Cruz, from where you have one of the best panoramic views of the central districts of Florianópolis and the continental region, some radio and television stations and the main telecommunications antennas of the City.

Morro da Cruz is one of the best points to contemplate a panoramic view of Florianópolis, allowing a privileged view of the two bays, the bridges that connect the island to the mainland and the neighborhoods in the continental region. On clear days, you can also see a large part of the municipalities of Florianópolis, such as Palhoça, São José and Biguaçu. On the level next to the cross, it is possible to see the neighborhoods of Trindade, Agronomica, Saco Grande, Itacorubi, João Paulo, Cacupé and Barra do Sambaqui. Towards the south, you can see the Hercílio Luz airport.

The main access to the Morro da Cruz viewpoint is via Rua do Antão (via Beira Mar Norte), through the Agronomic neighborhood, whose winding curves also allow for a panoramic view of the city. At the end of the road, you reach a small square, which serves as a parking lot for both TV and radio broadcasting stations and tourists visiting the place. To reach the viewpoint, walk along the road to the left of the buildings. Entrance is free.

It is advisable not to stay overnight.

History

In the days of the village of Nossa Senhora de Desterro, Morro da Cruz was called Morro do Sinal or Morro do Pau da Bandeira, since at its summit there was a traffic light post, with a mast, where a flag was hoisted to warn, for through codes, the entry of vessels in the two bays.

Later, with the development of Vila Capital, it became known as Morro do Antão. This name was given to Antão Lourenço Rebolo, a Portuguese landowner on the hillside. In the eastern part of the village, where the path that connected the Parish of Santíssima Trindade passed, it was also known as Trás do Morro. At that time, the then Morro do Antão played a fundamental role, as water courses flowed from its slopes that supplied the central region of the village and from where the clay was removed for the potteries that produced the pieces of clay used in daily life. of the population, as well as the bricks for the buildings.

At that time, the capital was still a small city, whose access between the districts of Centro and Trindade was an adventure. For this reason, many cut their way along a part of the hill, which makes up the Morro da Caixa massif. Despite the difficulties of access at the time, the hill was already frequently visited by both residents of the capital and day trippers. The road through Pau da Bandeira was the shortest passage between the capital and the parish of Trindade.

At the turn of the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century, it received the current name of Morro da Cruz, when a pedestal with a wooden cross on top was erected on top.