The ruins
Brazil's first big fortified house.
Ruidival Marques — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Vigato — CC BY-SA 4.0 · All lordêlo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ruidival Marques — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Turismo Bahia — CC BY-SA 2.0
On a hill above the ocean near Praia do Forte stand the ruins of the «Tower House» that the landowner Garcia d'Ávila began in 1551 and finished in 1624, considered the first large fortified building in Brazil. With its tower, house and small church, the complex was a forward lookout for Salvador and the Bay of All Saints, sending smoke and torch signals to warn the city of enemy ships, and from it the family's lands spread over 250 years deep into the north-east. It was abandoned after hereditary estates were abolished in 1835 and fell into ruin; the national heritage body listed it in 1938, and it reopened in 2021 with the «Castle Museum», which shows maps and archaeological finds in multimedia displays. Tickets are R$50 and R$25 reduced, plus a small service fee, and free up to age five. It opens Tuesday to Thursday 10:00-17:00 and Friday to Sunday and holidays 10:00-18:00 with light shows projected on the walls; closed Mondays. It is about 3 km from the village.
Brazil's first big fortified house.
Maps and finds.
Friday to Sunday.
Avenida do Farol 1540, Praia do Forte, Mata de São João
About 3 km; tickets are R$50 and it is closed on Mondays.