Fortaleza is one of the most traditional clubs in the Northeastern region of Brazil alongside Bahia, Vitria, Santa Cruz, Sport, Nutico and Cear, its biggest rival. The club's colors are red, blue and white.
Significance. La Fortaleza (The Fortress) was the first true fortification in San Juan, established in 152l. The Spanish built it between 1533 and 1540 for protection against raids by Carib Indians and by English and French freebooters.
The club was founded on 2 January 1921, by sportsmen from the Italian colony of Belo Horizonte as Societ Sportiva Palestra Itlia. As a result of the Second World War, the Brazilian federal government banned the use of any symbols referring to the Axis powers in 1942.