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São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress is located between the beaches of Forte and Jurerê, on the coast of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.



It stands in a dominant position on the slope of Ponta Grossa Hill, northwest of Santa Catarina Island, dominating the North Bay.



Designed and built by Brigadier José da Silva Pais, first governor of the Santa Catarina Captaincy (1739-1745), it is one of the vertices of the defensive triangle of the northern bay of the island in the first half of the 18th century, integrated by the Santa Cruz Fortress. Anhatomirim and the Fortress of St. Anthony of Ratones. The defensive system was completed by the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Araçatuba, in the bay of Sul Bay. Together, they should protect the island of Santa Catarina, consolidating the occupation of southern Colony, and acting as a strategic support base for the maintenance of the Portuguese rule over the Colony of Sacramento.



The fortress has an organic polygon-shaped plant (adapted to the terrain in which it forms), in three distinct planes, protected to the rear by the hillside, with the batteries facing the sea.



The buildings are spread over the three different embankments at different heights, interconnected by ramps and surrounded by thick walls of stone and lime masonry. The access gate has lost the original drawbridge and pediment, and the access corridor the brick masonry vault. Flanking the latter, the dungeon room, with its once barred door and window, and the Guard House, naturally lit by two arrow-shaped windows. The access corridor also presents the cracks in the wall, through which ran the blade that closed the access in case of attack, leading to the lower embankment, where the first order of Batteries is distributed. Next to them are the remains of the old Palamenta House, with brick masonry floors, where light weapons were stored and the necessary equipment for the maintenance and operation of artillery pieces. Because the structure of the walls and their coverage are unknown, it has not been restored. Complete the set two round sentry boxes on their tops, on opposite vertices of the wall. The stonework of the Portico, the buildings, and the base of some gunboats are carved from lioz stone.



In the intermediate embankment, is located the second order of batteries and the Troop Barracks, with brick masonry floor, with the kitchen attached. Restored, it is occupied today by the bobbin lace artisans, who work there and market their art.



On the upper embankment stands the Commander's House, an imposing two-story townhouse, twinned with the Gunpowder Storeroom, also housed with two floors. The House of the Commander signed the capitulation before the Spanish in 1777. With brick masonry flooring, its restoration was only possible thanks to the resources of the Banco do Brasil Foundation in 1992. Today, this building houses the exhibition "The Daily Life of São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress - Food Aspects ". On the second floor of Paiol da Pólvora there is a Video Room displaying material on the fortresses of Santa Catarina. Still on the third embankment is the Chapel of St. Joseph. With sober lines, this building was the first restored by IPHAN in the whole, still in 1977, since it is still used by the community. Rectangular in shape, with a single nave separated from the chancel by a cruising arch, its floor is also made of brick masonry, noting the absence of a bell tower, which is characteristic of the 18th century Santa Catarina chapels, designed by Military architects.



Drinking water for the garrison was supplied at the source (with cistern), a building outside the fortress walls.

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