Located by the sea on the south side of Itamaracá Island, initially as a small fort of wood and earth, later reinforced with stones and bricks, this quadrangular fortification with four bastions is a direct testimony to the Dutch occupation and subsequent wars. With the end of Dutch domination in 1654, the fort was renamed Fortaleza de Santa Cruz, coming under Portuguese management and controlling maritime access to Itamaracá Island and adjacent areas. Currently, it is a tourist and archaeological site, where research indicates that the Portuguese structure is larger than the Dutch one. Undergoing restoration for several years, the fort remains a tourist attraction and archaeological site, with waves crashing against one of its bastions at high tide. The fortification is part of the UNESCO World Heritage candidate ensemble and was included in a concession program.