Laguna, Brazil Tourist Attractions
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Situation and CharacteristicsLaguna lies 124km/77mi south of Florianópolis on the Atlantic coast, near the outliers of the large area of lagoons extending to the south. The Carnival of Laguna is the most interesting in Santa Catarina state.Bus stationRua Arcángelo BianchiniHistoryLaguna, founded by bandeirantes from São Paulo, is a historic old town, the scene of the Revolução Farroupilha ("Ragged Revolution"). It was capital of the República Juliana which was proclaimed by the rebellious Gaúchos of Santa Catarina in 1839, during the Guerra dos Farrapos ("Ragged War"). And it was in Laguna that Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was one of the leaders of the rebels and played a part in the taking of the town, met his future wife, Ana de Jesus Ribeiro, better known as Anita Garibaldi, who stood by his side in his fights for freedom in America and Europe.
Santo Antônio dos Anjos
Santo Antônio dos AnjosThe church of Santo Antônio dos Anjos on Praça Victor Meireles, partly faced with gold, was built in 1696. It contains a painting of Nossa Senhora da Conceição by Victor Meireles, a native of Santa Catarina.
Anita Garibaldi Museum
Anita Garibaldi MuseumThe Anita Garibaldi Museum is housed in the old municipal and courthouse building (1720) in Portuguese style on Praça República Juliana. Here, in the house once occupied by Anita Garibaldi, are displayed personal mementoes and pictures of scenes from her life.
Surroundings
There are numerous attractions within a short distance of Laguna, including towns, beaches, and islands.
Imbituba
ImbitubaThe coastal towns of Imbituba and Garopaba are respectively 40km/25mi and 60km/37mi north of Laguna. In the little port of Imbituba is the church of Vila Nova (1720), an example of Azorean architecture. From Imbituba there are organized trips to the islands of Santana de Dentro, Santana de Fora, Araras and Itacolomi. Another popular attraction is Lake Mirim, 6km/4mi south on BR 101.BeachesAmong beaches round Imbituba are the Praia do Rosa (ideal for surfing), Luz, Vila, Barra de Ibiraquera (18km/11mi; on Lake Ibiraquera) and the Praia de Imbituba, close to the town.
Cabo Santa Marta
Cabo Santa Marta17km/10.5mi from Laguna (10 minutes by ferry) is Cabo Santa Maria, with the beaches of Santa Marta Grande and Santa Marta Pequena, enclosed by dunes, and a lighthouse of 1891. Fishermen go out at night to catch prawns here, as they do in the Lago de Santo Antìnio and at other places along the coast.
Beaches
BeachesTo the north of Laguna are the beaches of Mar Grosso (3km/2mi), Iró (4km/2.5mi) and Gi (5km/3mi). The first two are separated from one another by a projecting ridge of rock.
Garopaba
GaropabaGaropaba, once a fishing village, is now a town of 12,000 inhabitants, with beaches which are almost empty of people. A professional surfing championship is held here.
Tubarao
Tubarão32km/20mi west of Laguna is Tubarão (pop. 90,000), where the Jorge Lacerda thermal power station with its stocks of coal can be visited. Round the town are several thermal springs: the Guarda Springs (alkaline, 36°C/97°F; 11km/72mi), the Rio do Pouso Springs (15km/92mi) and the Gravataí Springs (23km/142mi).
Ararangua
AraranguáSome 95km/60mi south of Laguna and 5km/3mi from Tubarão is Araranguá, round which is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in southern Brazil, with fine beaches, gigantic dunes and rock caves. The most popular beach is the Praia do Morro dos Conventos, 14km/8.7mi from the town center, near the mouth of the Rio Araranguá.
Criciuma
Criciúma64km/40mi south-west of Tubarão is Criciúma, with the only coal-mine in Brazil which runs conducted tours for visitors.
