various documents and diaries describe these structures, and more and more buildings eventually became attached to this fortress throughout the centuries. over the years, the fortress housed navy hospitals, arsenals, even prisoners. it also accommodated a chapel dedicated to saint joseph, which in 1952 was declared a site of national and historic heritage - the forte de são tiago da misericórdia was located at the foot of the hill of descanso, in the historical center of the city, what is today downtown rio. it was situated right in between the now non-existent beaches of piacaba and santa luzia.

the fortress was erected in 1603 by the portuguese colonizers, a project which commenced as part of the defense system initiated by the former governor, mem de sa. this was also the location of the prisao do calabouco in 1693, which predominantly held slaves who misbehaved.