Monuments and Points of Interest
Morro de São Paulo Fortress
It is located at the northwestern part of Tinharé Island, strictly speaking, it is not a single fortification, but a set of unit of defence and fortress. The Fort of Tapirandu, or the Fortress of Morro de São Paulo, is considered one of the largest defensive groups in Brazil. The Morro de São Paulo Fortress still retains 678 meters of its curtain of defence with great walls and ruins, now protected by the National Historic Patrimony.
The construction of the Fortress began in 1630 under the orders, at that time, of the Governor General Diogo Luix de Oliveira, to protect the entrance from enemy squadrons in the so-called "false barrier of Bahia de Todos os Santos", a strategic entrance to the Itaparica Canal to the Fort of Santo Antonio (current Farol da Barra) - and also to protect the Tinharé Canal, essential in the production of the main centers of the colony (Boipeba, Cairu, Camamu and Itacaré) to supply the capital Salvador.
In 1728 Dom Vasco Fernandes César de Menezes, the 1st Count of Sabugosa, began the expansion activities of Forte Velho (Ancient Fort). The construction was completed in 1730, adding the Fort of Ponta and the curtain of great walls to the defensive groups. The Lusitanian victory over the fleet of French Admiral de Villegaignon was one of the most striking episodes of the Fortress and Colonial History of Brazil.
Obviously, more pleasing than battle stories, the Fort is magical in the late afternoon. The ancient ruins are no longer remembered with the explosions, but with the dolphins in the silhouette of each dive, recorded against the light of the sunset. The immensity of the sea gradually merges with the colors of the night, which arises already too starry. And always calm waters rhythms a lazy melody over the salt breeze blowing in the bloozy palm fronds.
Church of Our Lady of Light
It is said that when the Dutch Admiral Peter Pieterzoon Hiyn attempted to plunder the island in 1628, the invasion was not consummated due to the “ sight “ of numerous troops on the island, a miracle of the Holy Patron, Our Lady of Light, of Morro de São Paulo, celebrated on September 8th. The first historical records mark the existence of a chapel with same name already in the beginning of the 17th century, and on a map of 1759, João de Abreu and Carvalho locates it approximately where today the Lighthouse is located.
The Church of Nossa Senhora Da Luz was completed in 1845 according to date on the frontispiece, and houses relics of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the sacred imangens and baroque cedar altars. In addition to the masses and religious celebrations that take place for the village, the church staircase is a rest for those who face the climbing arriving from the pier and also for those who rest and watch the movement of the Aureliano de Lima Square, starting point for the other little roads and village squares.
The Great Fountain
Fonte Grande is the largest water supply system in Bahia during the colonial epochal, a notable example of the constructive technology of the period. Built in 1746, it provides the water collection and water decantation, both the volume coming from the soil water table and the existing little river. The visit of Dom Pedro II and the Marquise de Santos made the fame of the Great Fountain, yielding material for rich filmography on the period of Brazilian history.
The old village has grown and surrounded Fonte Grande, now not so big, in front of the surrounding large range of hotels, hostels and restaurants, but you can still hear the running of the waters on the way to the beaches on the other side of the island.
The Lighthouse
The Morro de São Paulo Lighthouse was built in 1855 according to the design and supervision of Engineer Carson, from the fabric factory of Valença. The building of the old factory still exists, and being the first factory built in Brazil, is another example of the importance of the region during the period of colonialism. The most important historical record comes from the daily notes of Dom Pedro II, which describes the Lighthouse during the visit of the royal family to the island in 1859.
The viewpoint existence near the Lighthouse is part of the defensive construction groups of the Island. Although hidden in the midst of tropical vegetation, it offers a panoramic view of the beaches and it is a tourist destination for this amazing view, one of the best places to see the curves and tides of the island.
