Fortress of Our Lady of Conception of Araçatuba

A Fortress of Our Lady of Conception of Araçatuba it was the fourth and last of the fortresses designed by Portuguese Brigadier José da Silva Paes. Built on the Islet of Araçatuba, between 1742 and 1744, the Fortress was the only one intended to protect the entrance to the South Bay of Santa Catarina Island. It also served as a prison on several occasions, including in the republican period. There are private boats driven by fishermen from the region for the crossing to Araçatuba. The island does not have a pier or beach, and disembarkation is only possible in good weather. However, this is not an official tour, as the fort belongs to the Brazilian Army, being considered a permanent preservation area. The Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Araçatuba is not in a good state of conservation, having no structure to receive visitors. Despite being 1 km from Praia de Naufragados, it is not advisable to swim across the channel, as in addition to being agitated, there are strong currents that can lead to the open sea. See more details in our Strengths section.