Fuerte San Miguel

The fort of San Miguel was begun by the Portuguese in 1737 on a low hill overlooking the wetlands near what is now the Brazilian border, and taken by the Spanish under Pedro de Ceballos in April 1763, as the two crowns fought over this frontier. Restoration began in 1927, it was rebuilt to the original plans in 1933, and it is now a museum with a moat, ramparts, a drawbridge and period rooms, set in a park with native animals and a criollo horse stud.

What to look for

• The star fort - stone ramparts, moat and drawbridge, rebuilt in 1933.
• The frontier history - a Portuguese fort taken by Spain in 1763.
• The museum rooms - period interiors and military equipment inside the walls.
• The surrounding park - native fauna and a criollo horse stud in the grounds.

When to go

Year round; the museum keeps daily hours and closes on some Mondays. Summer brings visitors crossing to Brazil. Winter here is wet and windy.

Good to know

Much of the fabric is 1930s restoration rather than original. The site is small and an hour or two covers it. It is far from the main coastal resorts.

Nearby

Chuy is northeast, and Santa Teresa is southwest.

Key facts