Florianopolis, Brazil

... More

Sales Bridge (1975). In the summer thousands of visitors flock to Florianópolis, mainly from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Although Florianópolis is now a modern city with an excellent infrastructure, it continues to fascinate visitors with its island beaches, over forty in number, and little fishing villages. The houses with their lean-to roofs and blue and white paint reveal the influence of the Azores.

Bus station

Terminal Rita Maria, Avenida Paulo Fontes

Airport

Aeroporto Hercílio Luz

History

The original nucleus of the town, the village of Nossa Senhora de Desterro, was founded in 1673 by Francisco Dias Velho, a bandeirante from São Paulo. In 1726 it was granted the status of a vila. It was then the most strongly fortified settlement on the whole of the east coast, essential for protecting the rear of the Portuguese in the Gaúcho country and the La Plata area. In 1738 it became the seat of government for the province of Santa Catarina. From 1748 on settlers from the Azores who had landed in southern Brazil established themselves here, and as a result the town preserved something of a Portuguese air.