Governor's Sugar mill - Santos, SP
the governor's mill sugar plantation -
Portugal's early big prize in the new world.
intact five century-old Walls separate the chapel from main house, built by Martim alfonso de souza, a pioneer of early brasil settlements was the owner.
Engenho dos Erasmos - the Governor's mill
The main house for sugar plantation built in 1520. Took styling ques from medieval European thick-walled castles. The plantation has a defensive hillside position to protects against attacks.
the floor plan remnants outline a large stone main house (est. 5,000 sq ft) with attached walls connecting chapel, large kitchen and the sugar grinding mill
monetizing conquests of the new world
dangers were many: disease, marauding pirates, tribal attacks were sample hazards in establishing sugar production for shipment to far-off European ports.
sub-floor armory held single-shot rifles, swords, bow & arrows with other weapons of the day. defense was required for roving pirates or foreign armies of spain, holland or France always on the prowl seeking conquest in the coastal new world..
a large kitchen area occupied the rear portion ofthe expansive main house. designed with large windows for ventilation, the kitchen was connected with large pass through doorways to the sugar cane grinding tub where slaves worked 18 hours daily shifts.
more info: monumento nacional ruinas eugenho de sao jorge erasmos
highly informative tours cover both archaeological & historical aspects of this active rare site. and english-speaker docents available.
since 2004 archaeological, research and an interpretative center are operated under auspices of the university of sao paulo.