Title

Author(s)

Liliane Janine Nizzola

Affiliation

Politecnico di Milano

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/NYGR5530

Keywords

Heritage Restoration, Fortress Reuse, Accessibility.

PP

xx-xx

How to Cite

Nizzola, Liliane Janine. “The Brazilian Fortress of São José da Ponta Grossa The challenges of restoring and providing accessibility.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 700–707. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

Located on the northern part of Santa Catarina Island, this fortress formed one of the strategic vertices of a defensive triangle with the Fortresses of Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim and Santo Antônio de Ratones. Conceived in the 18th century by Brigadier José da Silva Paes, the first governor of the Captaincy of Santa Catarina (1739–1749), it defended Portuguese dominions in South America against Spanish threats.
By the late 19th century, the fort had deteriorated into ruin, receiving restoration efforts only from the mid-20th century onwards. Officially listed as national heritage in 1938, it was among the earliest sites protected by the newly founded IPHAN (National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage). This recognition was due to its historical, architectural and archaeological significance, even though it was partially ruined at the time. The structure, built from stone, sand, shells, and lime, exemplifies the robust defensive architecture of its era. Currently, the site is managed by the Federal University of Santa Catarina for cultural and educational purposes.
A recent restoration project, completed in 2022, aimed to provide use to all buildings and ensure universal accessibility. A particularly complex undertaking due to the fort’s hilltop location, its three-tiered terracing, and the enclosing defensive walls. The intervention prioritised minimal, reversible, and sustainable interventions, ensuring that contemporary additions harmonised with the original construction while accommodating modern usage requirements. The restoration sparked debate, mainly over the decision to maintain the varied external finishes, with some surfaces left plastered and others exposed in their original state, as found. The project, carried out by IPHAN, restored the complex as more than an open-air museum, featuring exhibition areas, space for traditional lace-makers, a cafeteria, and public facilities. The project revitalised the fortress as a dynamic cultural hub, striking a balance between conservation and contemporary use.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.