Mill ruins
16th century.
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Engenho dos Erasmos, or Engenho São Jorge dos Erasmos, was a sugar-cane mill on São Vicente Island, built around 1534 after Martim Afonso de Sousa's expedition of 1532 began large-scale sugar making in Brazil; it was possibly the country's third mill. Around 1540 it passed to Erasmus Schetz, and his Antwerp family held it until the late 17th century. The site held the factory under a single roof, driven by a water wheel, with administrative and living quarters, including housing for enslaved people, and a forge. The privateer Thomas Cavendish attacked it in 1591 and Joris van Spilbergen burned it in 1615; it was abandoned in the 18th century and forgotten. Otávio Ribeiro de Araújo bought the land in 1943 and in 1958 gave it to a faculty of the University of São Paulo, which has run it since; excavations recovered over 2,000 fragments. The ruins have been a national monument since 1963, with free entry Tuesday to Sunday; check the hours.
16th century.
In Brazil.
Over 2,000 pieces.
São Vicente Island, Santos, São Paulo state
Yes, Tuesday to Sunday; check the hours before going.
