Gabi On The Go: Santo Antonio de Lisboa

Another beautiful day... another beautiful beach...

Mike and I took Thursday afternoon to visit one of my favourite places on the island, the community of Santo Antonio de Lisboa, about 15 minutes by car from downtown Florianopolis (about 13 kilometers). This is a very quiet and small neighbourhood with lots of character.

The construction still preserves the influence of the local colonizers, the Azoreans. And the area attracts many artists who make this place even more special with their ceramics, paintings, and many other kinds of art. Sitting by the water, drinking a beer and eating mussels makes you feel at least 10 years younger. It is so relaxing...

I enjoy it even more off season.

This community was one of the first settlements when the Portuguese immigrants, coming from the Azorean Islands arrived in the middle of the 18th century. Back then, Santo Antonio de Lisboa was the most important part of the island, since it had a harbour and goods were traded here. Today, only the architecture still tells a bit of that time. Local residents are really proud of being able to save part of the community´s history through some of the buildings.

There is a huge artistic community here. Artcraft stores are everywhere.

Tourists are also happy to bring home something pretty that reminds them of this magical place.

The place is also known for its great seafood restaurants.

Many families still rely on fishing as their main source income.

If you ever come to Florianopolis, I highly recommend an evening in Santo Antonio, with oysters and mussels, their best seafood.

And I don´t have to say it, but beer is always a perfect compliment.

I could spend hours photographing these old buildings.

Even though the Azorean colonization happened more than two centuries ago, people here are extremelly proud of their roots. Peharps places like this are "more Azorean" with its roots than the Azores. I guess what I am trying to say is that old traditions have been kept here over many generations. Maybe some would surprise the residents of today´s Azores.

This is an everyday scene: fishermen in action.

It is just so nice to see locals still doing what they have been doing for over 250 years, without being hassled.

But it used to be better, they say. Fish were more abundant here.

Today they have another way of making their living, cultivating mussles and oysters.

Santa Catarina State is the biggest mussels producer in Brazil.

This photo bellow shows some of the mussel culture in Santo Antonio.

How do you like their office?

If they are not out there fishing, the fishermen are either cleaning their catch or working on their nets for the next day. A very long and precise art.