On
reaching the city of Florianópolis, the sensation one
has is that of finding a small San Francisco at the shores of
the Atlantic Ocean. Joined to the continent since the year 1926
by the Hercílio Luz bridge, in the style of the Golden
Gate, this work of art dazzles the tourist with its steel structure
of 819 meters and its cables hanging over the motorway.
Originally,
the city was a village of fishermen from the Island of Azores.
With time, Florianópolis has been transformed into a
compulsory spot to acquaint oneself with the beautiful beaches
all around it. Surf-lovers and deep-sea divers stay here for
long periods of time enjoying its white sands and calm beaches
in area like Praia do Mole, Joaquina, Santinho, Naufragados,
Morro das Pedras and Campeche.
Florianópolis
is rich in history and culture too. In the center of the city,
on its insular side appear many buildings that talk of the evolution
of this society. The public market - El Mercado Público
, the Customs building dating back to 1875 and the Cathedral
Metropolitana – constructed in 1773 – cannot be left
out. Its museums are some of its other attractions, among which
stand out the Anthropological Museum with indigenous objects
belonging to the first settlers; the house of Victor Meirelles,
a painter and sculptor; the Museum of History, in Baroque style
(previously the headquarters of the Government); the Santa Catarina
Museum of Art, with various modern Brazilian works of art and
those of Eli Heilan, an exceptional painter of mythical creations.
