Fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones

The Fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones is the third vertex in the defensive triangle designed by the Brigadier Jose da Silva Paes to defend the northern entrance to Santa Catarina Island. The construction of the fortress began in 1740 and was completed four years later in island of Raton Grande, name given by the Spanish explorer Cow's head because the island resembles the shape of a mouse.

Rumors have it that during the Spanish invasion of 1777, four shots were fired by the fortress against the enemy fleet. But it was in vain, as the island was taken without much resistance. When the Spaniards returned the island to the Portuguese Crown through the Treaty of Idelfonso, the fortresses fell into disrepute and were practically abandoned. Ratones can be used again only in 1893 during the Federalist Revolution, when the rebels against the government of Floriano peixoto used the premises as shelter. The Government took possession of the fortress again and, after expelling the rebels, handed the fortress over to the Brazilian Navy. This used the fortress of Santo Antônio de Ratones as Lazaretto - place where people with contagious diseases were sheltered - and remained in that role until the XNUMXth century.

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When the campaign to restore the fortress began, two human bones behind the Officers' Quarters. Frightened, the workers refused to continue the restoration. Through archaeological investigations, it was discovered that the bones belonged to two of the twelve burials that took place while the fortress was used as a lazarento for people with cholera. In 1938, the Santo Antônio de Ratones Fortress was listed as a National Historic and Artistic Heritage. After UFSC take possession of the management of the fortress, through the Fortalezas Project in 1990, Ratones had its restoration process started and completed the following year.

what do you see there

Its main buildings are located in a line of a single terrace, fringed by the slope and facing the sea. The most significant buildings are the Main, Water Fountain and the Aqueduct. In addition to its expressive architectural collection, Ilha de Ratones Grande has an exuberant natural landscape, formed by the Atlantic Forest. It has a trail intended for the practice of ecological tourism and environmental education, allowing the integration of visitors to the marine and Atlantic Forest environments and the fauna associated with this environment.

Commander's House: The building now houses the exhibition “Portuguese Forts”, which shows photographs of several fortifications that once belonged to the Portuguese Crown.

Troop Barracks: It is home to the permanent exhibition “Fortaleza de Santo Antônio - Retrospective”, a photo exhibition that tells the story of the restoration of the fortress.

Entry Portal: It has a curved ramp that gives access to the fortress. Originally, it also had a point that raised it over a three-meter-deep moat.

Ecological trail: The Atlantic Forest trail, which is part of a conservation area, allows the visitor to get in touch with marine environments, fauna and flora associated with these environments.

Mussel Breeding Project: Florianópolis is known for the production of oysters, shellfish and mussels. One of the biggest mussel breeders on the island is located between the island of Ratones and the Santo Antônio district of Lisbon.

Water Source: An aqueduct system is responsible for supplying drinking water to the fortress and island.

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Location and access method

Located on Ilha de Ratones Grande in the North Bay of Florianópolis, it is possible to reach the Santo Antônio de Ratones Fortress by means of schooners that leave from the point next to the Hercílio Luz Bridge or from the Trapiche da Beira-mar (both in the city center) or from the pier on Canasvieiras beach.

Os schooner tours from different points:
Florianopolis downtown: under the Hercílio Luz and Trapiche Bridge of Beira-mar Norte;
North of the Island: Canasvieiras and Sambaqui Beach;
Close to Florida: Governor Celso Ramos.

The tour lasts six hours and costs an average of R$45 per person.

Another great option is the speedboat rides, which allow you to customize your commute and fun time.

It is still possible to reach the place through the beach of Sambaqui, located 15 km from the center of Florianópolis.

In the place, called Ponta do Sambaqui, there are boatmen who make the crossing of approximately 3 km.

Hours of Operation

Low season (April to November): daily from 9 am to 17 pm.
High season (December to March): daily from 9 am to 19 pm. Vessels will be able to dock on the island until 18:XNUMX.

input values

Admission: R$ 8 full and R$ 4 half-price (with identification).
Double ticket (visit to Ratones and Anhatomirim): R$ 10 full and R$ 5 half-price (with identification).

Written page with information from the Coordination of Fortresses on the Island of Santa Catarina.
http://www.fortalezas.ufsc.br/fortaleza-de-santo-antonio-de-ratones
http://fortalezas.org/index.php?ct=fortaleza&id_fortaleza=2

Virtual tour:
https://prezi.com/r-gg4sav-ffi/passeio-virtual-fortaleza-de-santo-antonio-de-ratones/

(48) 3721-8302/ (48) 3721-5118.