Gravura "St Vicent", do livro de viagens de Joris van Spilbergen, 1615, colorida digitalmente por Victor Hugo Mori, IPHAN, SP Santo Amaro da Barra Grande Fortress protected the lands and waters of Santos during the Colonial, Imperial and Brazilian Republic periods. From the 16th to the 19th century several important historical events may be pointed out: in 1591 it defended the area against the English pirate, Thomas Cavendish; in 1615, against the Dutch pirate, Joris van Spielberg; in 1893, at the height of its glory, it was equipped with 28 cannons; and in 1893, the old fortress fought its last artillery mission against the cruiser Republic, during the National Fleet's rebellion, from then on the boom of its cannons was silenced forever.