Max Justo Guedes Culture Reference Centre (also known as Fortim dos Emboabas)
The building, one of oldest in the city, was earned by the Federal University of São João del-Rei through donation in 2009, and was listed in the municipal and federal level, considering its priceless historical value. Its localization already anticipates its unquestionable value, considering that in the neighbourhood of Alto das Mercês there are a lot of traces and historical marks. An example would be the “betas”, which are tunnels dug by gold prospectors during the 18th century.
According to the oral tradition, the physical space of the centre served as a fort for the Portuguese and Brazilians from the north, entrenched there against the attacks of Paulistas (people from the state of São Paulo) during the War of the Emboabas, occurred between 1707 and 1709. Its name is due to the fact that it was owned by Admiral Max Justo Guedes.
The “Fortim” is the headquarters of the extension project called “Max Justo Guedes Popular Culture Reference Centre”, which includes the Clay Museum and the Experience Museum. Professor Glória Maria (DFIME), coordinator of the project, highlights the importance of the Fortim for the community of Alto das Mercês, considering that the implementation of a centre of popular culture of the university in the neighbourhood reinforces the importance of the culture of African origin for the constitution of the city’s identity.
Professor Zandra Coelho de Miranda (DAUAP) also adds that the Centre has strategic importance for the preservation of the intangible heritage of São João del-Rei and region. According to her, this history, told by this set of artefacts, is registered in documents with very few words, which opens space to the production of knowledge from these survivors. In Max Justo Guedes Culture Reference Centre (also known as Fortim dos Emboabas), located at Rua Altamiro Flor, 0, Alto das Mercês, São João Del-Rei.