The settlement of São Miguel was one of the first areas in Santa Catarina to be populated by immigrants from the Azores archipelago starting in 1748.
The museum building is located in an area that was designated as a historic district due to its density of colonial-era structures.
The collection includes traditional lace-making equipment, which is a hallmark of the Azorean cultural influence in Southern Brazil.
The museum frequently hosts displays on 'Boitatá' and other figures from the folklore brought from the islands of the Azores.
The Ethnographic Museum Casa dos Açores is located in the historic Balneário São Miguel district of Biguaçu, Santa Catarina. The museum is housed in a colonial-era building that serves as a repository for the cultural legacy left by Azorean immigrants who settled the coast of Santa Catarina in the 18th century. Exhibits focus on traditional rural life, artisanal fishing techniques, and the preservation of Azorean folklore. The museum features a collection of tools, textiles, and domestic items used by the early settlers to adapt to the local coastal environment. It functions as an essential educational center for understanding the luso-brazilian roots of the region's current identity. The building itself is an example of traditional Portuguese colonial architecture in Brazil.
The front facade of the museum, which frames the classic colonial windows against the backdrop of the surrounding greenery.
Combine your visit with a walk through the neighboring streets of Balneário São Miguel to see other preserved colonial houses.
Check local community cultural calendars, as the museum often hosts craft fairs and traditional food events on weekends.
Bring a camera, as the contrast between the historic architecture and the nearby coastal landscape offers unique perspectives.
Do not expect a large, modern facility; this is an intimate, site-specific museum housed in a historic residence.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet tone and do not touch displayed artifacts unless signage indicates otherwise.
