Eight kilometers from the mainland, the Anchieta Island on the north coast of São Paulo, is home to a historic structure that served as maximum security prison until 1952. Designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Ramos de Azevedo, the architect behind São Paulo’s Theatro Municipal, the structure is in ruins.
However, this reality should change soon: since the beginning of the year, a process of restoring historical ruins has been conducted by the Fundação Florestal (FF), a body linked to the Secretariat of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of the State of São Paulo (Semil).
The investment is R$5 million value used to revitalize the old pavilions and transform the prison into a tourist attraction node Ilha Anchieta State Park .
The works are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The project was designed by the São Paulo office Kruchin Arquitetura.
Revitalization of the prison
According to the architecture firm, the project, in addition to preserving the identity of the place, seeks to transform the prison into a educational and cultural space .
The proposal includes the creation of new environments in the ruins, such as reception centers and cafes. The history of the island, with its occupations, must be told through exhibitions and old photos, with documents from different eras.
In architectural terms, the idea is to create an exoskeleton to protect existing structures, maintaining the historical personality of the place. There are eight pavilions in total, which are closed until the works are completed.
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History says that the prison went through several phases over time, being even called “Brazilian Alcatraz “. It was born as a common prison and became a political prison in the 1930s, until it went through a major rebellion in the 1950s, when it was gradually abandoned.
Anchieta Island: crystal clear waters and Atlantic Forest
Belonging to Ubatuba Ilha Anchieta is protected by the Ilha Anchieta State Park, created in 1977. It has an area of 828 hectares and 17 kilometers of rocky shores, in addition to the lush green of the Atlantic Forest.
Open to visitors, the island has seven beaches with crystal clear waters , five land trails one underwater trail and four viewpoints according to Semil. Chapel, visitor center and accommodation complete the attractions.
Much sought after due to its historical and ecotourism appeal, Anchieta Island can be accessed by boats and schooners, with a journey that can vary from 15 to 45 minutes. Boats commonly leave from Píer do Saco da Ribeira and Perequê Mirim, Itaguá, Enseada and Lázaro beaches.
Visits take place from Thursday to Tuesday, from 8 am to 5 pm, for which a fee is charged. fee of R$19 for Brazilians, R$28 for Mercosur residents and R$37 for other foreigners. Purchase can be made directly on this website.
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The post “Brazilian Alcatraz”: prison on Anchieta Island will be new cultural space appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
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