Ponta do Rei: Harbor Routes and Lime History

The local history of Ponta do Rei comes into focus through its historical connections to Porto do Rei: its role as a harbor, an old road link, and lime production are three concrete themes. Porto do Rei lies across from Baía Sul and still bears this name today. This can be a useful starting point when choosing a vacation rental: consider whether you want your stay to focus mainly on the area's history or also include nature trails elsewhere in the municipality of São Francisco do Sul.

Trails and Nature in the Municipality

Today's Trilha Caminho do Rei follows a section of the old road that connected Praia da Enseada with the municipality of Porto do Rei. It covers part of the former route, not the entire road. Those interested in historic routes can relate a present-day trail to a former transport link. For planning your visit, it is worth checking the park's current information.

The Trilha Vila do Casqueiro offers a different focus elsewhere in the municipality of São Francisco do Sul. It leads to natural heritage sites such as Lagoa do Acaraí and the vegetation types Restinga herbáceo-arbustiva, Restinga arbóreo-arbustiva, and Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas. The trail is listed as taking 50 minutes. This brings two different themes together: Caminho do Rei focuses on a historic road link, while Vila do Casqueiro focuses on the lagoon and vegetation. Trilha Vila do Casqueiro is in the wider municipality of São Francisco do Sul, outside the village of Ponta do Rei.

Harbor, Archaeological Site, and Lime Kiln

Archaeological and industrial evidence is also part of Porto do Rei's historical connections. The archaeological site São Francisco do Sul 2 – Porto do Rei I is in the municipality of São Francisco do Sul and is associated with a preserved sambaqui measuring 30 × 30 × 0.5 meters. Porto do Rei II is also in São Francisco do Sul, on the bay. These sites offer a distinct way to explore the municipality's history, alongside traces of its harbor and lime production.

The remains of two kilns have been preserved at the Porto do Rei sambaqui; they were in operation until the 1960s. The neighboring lime kiln is in the São Francisco do Sul village of the same name. Shell lime was produced at the old Porto do Rei harbor and exported to Europe. The archaeological site, kiln remains, and lime kiln bring together archaeological and industrial history at one specific location.

The area's former role in transport can also be placed in historical context. The first harbor in the south of São Francisco Island was at the mouth of the Perequê River, in the area known as Porto do Rei. Historically, Porto do Rei served to maintain the connection with Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the Empire.

This offers a helpful way to decide where to stay: if you mainly want to explore the history of the harbor and lime production, focus on the historical sites described here. If you also want to include nature, the Trilha Vila do Casqueiro elsewhere in the municipality offers a different focus. You can choose your accommodation based on the kinds of excursions you want to prioritize, without treating the two areas as one and the same.

Culture and Landscape in the Broader Destination of São Francisco do Sul

The broader destination of São Francisco do Sul also has its own historical landmarks. The original town center, with 400 properties, was designated a heritage site by Iphan in 1987. The former facilities of Forte Marechal Luz are among São Francisco do Sul's historic monuments. The Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça was built starting in 1699 using mortar made from sand, lime, shells, and whale oil. Boi de Mamão is known as a cultural tradition of São Francisco do Sul. These are part of the broader destination of São Francisco do Sul, not the village of Ponta do Rei.

The landscape also varies across the larger destination: in the mainland part of São Francisco do Sul lies Vila da Glória, with beaches, waterfalls, and mountains; the area is part of the Grande Reserva Mata Atlântica.

Discover more destinations: Tornos do Pinto, Saí.

Go to the overview of the broader destination: São Francisco do Sul.