Florianópolis guide · Churches and Fortresses
Churches and fortresses of Florianópolis: the island's history in stone.
Photo: Campeche Lofts
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The island was defended by forts and settled by Azorean families who built a church in every parish. That legacy still stands, and it makes a different outing for cloudy days or for anyone who wants more than beaches. Here is what to know before you go.
Why so many churches and forts.
Two stories cross here: defending the territory and Azorean settlement.
In the 18th century, the Portuguese Crown wanted to protect the island, a strategic base on Brazil's southern coast. Brigadier José da Silva Paes designed a system of fortifications, with works starting around 1739 and 1740. At the same time, families from the Azores arrived, founded parishes and built a church in each one.
Forts
Three fortresses guard the entrance to the north bay (Anhatomirim, Ponta Grossa and Ratones). A fourth, at Araçatuba, watched over the southern entrance.
Churches
The island's parishes, such as Desterro, Lagoa, Ribeirão and Santo Antônio de Lisboa, were organized around a church and a square.
1777
Spanish troops occupied the island in 1777. It returned to Portugal in 1778 under the Treaty of San Ildefonso.
Churches of the historic center.
You can see several on foot, close to Praça XV.
Metropolitan Cathedral
It stands at the top of Praça XV. The current building went up between 1753 and 1773, on the site of earlier chapels, and became a cathedral in 1908 when the diocese was created.
Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário e São Benedito
Tied to the brotherhood of Black parishioners, whose statute sources place in 1750. The current church dates from the late 18th century and sits at the top of the Escadarias do Rosário.
Church of the Third Order of St. Francis of Penance
On Rua Deodoro. The order reached Desterro in 1745 and works began in the early 19th century. Sources differ on the inauguration date.
Menino Deus Chapel
Next to the Hospital de Caridade. One source places its origin in the 1760s and credits the devout Joana de Gusmão. It is known for the Senhor dos Passos procession.
For the rest of the downtown outing (square, market, bridge), see the Downtown guide.
Churches of the Azorean parishes.
Outside downtown, each village keeps its church facing the square.
Nossa Senhora da Lapa (Ribeirão da Ilha)
On Praça Hermínio Silva. Sources give 1806 as the inauguration. The start of construction appears with different dates, so we cite only that one.
Nossa Senhora das Necessidades (Santo Antônio de Lisboa)
The parish was created in 1750 and the church dates from the mid-18th century, facing the square and the north bay. It is described as a Baroque example.
Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Lagoa da Conceição)
The parish dates from 1750, one of the oldest on the island. One source dates the current church to 1780. It sits high, with a view of the lagoon.
See also the Ribeirão da Ilha and Lagoa da Conceição guides. Compared with Campeche, they lie on opposite sides of the island: pair them with another plan nearby.
Forts you can reach by land.
No boat needed: one is in Jurerê and another near the bridge.
Fortress of São José da Ponta Grossa
On a hill between Forte and Jurerê beaches, in the north of the island. Works began around 1740. IPHAN handed it back restored in November 2022. UFSC runs it and access is by land.
Forte Santana
On the mainland side, next to the Hercílio Luz Bridge. Built in 1761 to protect Desterro, it now houses the Military Police Weapons Museum. We could not confirm whether it is currently open to visitors.
UFSC manages Ponta Grossa, Anhatomirim and Ratones and posts days and hours at fortalezas.ufsc.br, including free-entry dates. Check there before you go.
Ponta Grossa is in the north of the island, near Jurerê. It pairs well with a beach day there.
Fortresses that need a boat.
Boat and schooner trips go well with the islands guide.
Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim
On Anhatomirim island, in Governador Celso Ramos. Works began in 1739 and it was the main vertex of the defensive triangle. UFSC has looked after it since 1979, according to IPHAN. Restoration work is under way.
Santo Antônio de Ratones
On Ratones Grande island, in the north bay. Works began in 1740. IPHAN restored it in the 2020s. Check with UFSC whether it is open to the public.
Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Araçatuba
On Araçatuba island, in Palhoça, at the southern entrance of the channel. It dates from around 1744 and is in ruins. It is not an official visit: you can see it from afar, such as from the Naufragados lighthouse.
Anhatomirim and Ratones require a boat crossing, paid separately, according to UFSC. For tours and Campeche Island, see the Floripa islands guide and the article Ilha do Campeche: como visitar (in Portuguese).
Itineraries by profile.
No fixed times: build it at your own pace.
Half day of history
Praça XV, the Cathedral and one downtown church, on foot. Finish with a coffee nearby.
Full Azorean day
Santo Antônio de Lisboa and the Necessidades church in the morning, and Ribeirão da Ilha in the late afternoon, with sunset over the bay.
Fort day
Ponta Grossa and Jurerê by land. If you feel like it, a boat trip to Anhatomirim on another day.
Family or rainy day
Downtown has museums next to the churches. Forts call for clear skies and calm seas.
Use the trip planner to spread out the days.
Where to see it, by guide.
Each place has its own guide.
- Downtown: Cathedral, Rosário, São Francisco.
- Ribeirão da Ilha: Nossa Senhora da Lapa church.
- Lagoa da Conceição: Conceição church.
- North of the island: Ponta Grossa fortress.
- Floripa islands: Anhatomirim, Ratones and Campeche.
- Island history: the full background.
- Campeche: your base for the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the churches of Florianópolis?
Yes, they are places of worship with their own hours. Enter quietly, dress modestly and avoid Mass times. Confirm hours with the parish.
Which fortresses does UFSC manage?
Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim, São José da Ponta Grossa and Santo Antônio de Ratones. Days and hours are at fortalezas.ufsc.br.
Do I need a boat to visit the fortresses?
For Anhatomirim and Ratones, yes. Ponta Grossa is reached by land. Araçatuba is in ruins and has no official visits.
Which is the oldest church on the island?
We do not claim one, because sources differ. The Cathedral grew out of chapels in Desterro and the current building dates from 1753 to 1773; several Azorean parishes date from 1750.
Can I combine this with Campeche Island?
Yes, on different days. Campeche is great for beach and nature; the fortresses and churches round out the cultural side.
Sources
- Cover photo: Campeche Lofts
- UFSC — Departamento das Fortalezas da Ilha de Santa Catarina · accessed October 12, 2026
- IPHAN — Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa é entregue restaurada · accessed October 12, 2026
- IPHAN — Página sobre as fortificações da Ilha de Santa Catarina · accessed October 12, 2026
- Correio da Manhã — Fortalezas da UFSC terão visita gratuita (maio de 2026) · accessed October 12, 2026
- NSC Total — Fortaleza de Santo Antônio volta a ser ponto turístico após obras · accessed October 12, 2026
- Repositório UFSC — A Ilha de Araçatuba e suas representações · accessed October 12, 2026
- Wikipedia — Catedral Metropolitana de Florianópolis · accessed October 12, 2026
- Campeche Lofts blog — Ilha do Campeche: como visitar · reviewed in 2026
Visiting hours and Mass times change. Confirm before you go.
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