both the forte de são luiz and forte do pico offered great protection to the bay - their position at about 230 meters above sea level was unachievable by the cannons of the time. many in the brazilian military refer to the fortaleza de santa cruz as of 'brazil's pyramid on water,' the forte do pico is reminiscent of the lost inca city of machu picchu in peru.

an incredible panoramic view of the fortress of santa cruz, morro da urcaand pão de açúcar, to the guanabara bay and the city of rio de janeiro, forte do imbuhy and the open ocean, awaits those who get to the top.