situated at 230 meters above sea level on the hill above the guanabara bay and in the former state capital of rio de janeiro, niterói, lies the forte do morro do pico, also known simply as forte do pico.

now a major draw for all who visit the niterói area, 'forte do pico' is part of the largest military fort complex in brazil. its location, high on the hillside, means it was the ideally placed to guard the entire guanabara bay and santa cruz fortress from enemy attacks.