Florianopolis Attractions

Museum of Anthropology

The Museum of Anthropology, on the University campus, displays finds from shell-mounds (sambaquis) - accumulations of shells, remains of cooking utensils and skeletons left by the native Indians on the Atlantic coast and dating from long before the arrival of Europeans - together with domestic equipment and tools of the original Azorean settlers.

Cathedral

On Praça 15 de Novembro (near Palácio Cruz e Sousa), in the city center, is the Cathedral, which dates from 1750. It contains a wood sculpture of the Flight into Egypt by the 19th century Tirolean sculptor Ferdinand Demetz.

Festa da Tainha

From July 25th to 28th the Festa da Tainha, a festival of Azorean origin, is celebrated in Barra da Lagoa. The main dish during the festival is the tainha (grey mullet), which is caught during the cold months of the year in large trawl nets. The great attraction of the festival lies in the music and dancing from different parts of Portugal - particularly, of course, from the Azores.

The best known fort is Fort Santana (1750), at the foot of the Hercílio Luz Bridge, which now houses the Museum of Weapons of the Military Police. Others are Nossa Senhora da Conceição; Santo Antonio dos Ratos (1641), on the island of Ratão Grande (in course of restoration since the late eighties); and Santa Cruz do Anhatomirim (1744), on a small island.

Meireles Birthplace

In Rua Victor Meireles, near Praça 15 de Novembro, is the birthplace of Victor Meireles, which contains documents, drawings and studies by this local artist. There are some of his pictures in the church of São Francisco da Ordem Terceira (1803), which also has several Baroque altars.

Museum of the

Sambaqui People

The Museum of the Sambaqui People, in the Colégio Catarinense, displays skeletons, urns and utensils of the indigenous inhabitants.

Ribeirão da Ilha Museum

The Ribeirão da Ilha Museum illustrates the life of the Azorean settlers with everyday objects and utensils.

Guarda do Embaú

On the mainland 60km/37mi south of Florianópolis is Guarda do Embaú, claimed to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches and a surfers' paradise. Close to the beach are the hills of the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park.

São Miguel

The bathing resort of São Miguel, on the mainland 24km/15mi north-west of Florianópolis, is reached on BR 101. In addition to its beaches it has a ruined aqueduct and a church dating from the 18th century. Also of interest is the Casa dos Aáores, a historical museum housed in an 18th century building.