Santa Cruz Fortress fortalezasc

In 1555 , Frenchman Villegaignon improvised a fortification to defend French Antarctica . Taken by Men de Sá in 1567 , this fortification was expanded into the key point for the defense of the Guanabara Bay , renamed in honor of Nossa Senhora da Guia . Called the Fortaleza de Santa Cruz da Barra from 1632 onwards , it was remodeled with numbered pre-cut stone blocks shipped out from Portugal . Completed only in 1870 , it featured in some important moments in Brazilian History . Taken over by the National Historic Heritage Trust on October 4 , 1939, the Fortaleza de Santa Cruz Fortress attracts visitors from all over the world . Don't miss out on your chance to experience this important arquitetonic and historical event . The association between historical monuments and landscapes offers the visitors unforgetable moments .