Created in 1890, the Hospedaria dos Imigrantes do Saco do Padre Inácio, as it was known at the time, was the first building inaugurated by the government during the republican period in Florianópolis. The building was described at the time as “a building situated in a magnificent location, with a good point and an excellent view, with accommodation for about 250 people”. Its objective was to shelter foreign citizens who had recently arrived in Brazil and who would later be destined for rural work. Those who arrived with illness, which was not uncommon, remained in quarantine before regularizing their stay.
This magnificent building, now located at the continental head of the Pedro Ivo and Colombo Sales Bridges, once housed several public bodies and institutions. Between 1904 and 1906, the Agronomic and Veterinary Station operated there. Then, between 1907 and 1943, the School of Marine Apprentices operated.
Later, in the 1960s, the headquarters of the Escola Agrupada de Coqueiros, later called Escolas Reunidas Almirante Carvalhal, was installed there, whose main purpose was to teach literacy to workers at the Brazilian Navy Shipyard and their children.
In 1984, the building underwent an important renovation that once again valued its presence in this privileged location and began to house the Florianópolis Tourism Department. Soon it became known as the Tourist Portal of Florianópolis. Currently, the building is occupied by the Municipal Guard of Florianópolis.
