Forte da Lagarteira

Caminha, Portugal

The Fort of Lagarteira (Forte de Âncora/Forte da Lagarteira) was probably constructed between 1640 and 1668, during the Restoration Wars to protect the Portuguese coast from Spanish attacks. Its structure followed the models established in the era for the construction of fortresses implanted along the Alto Minho area, which was an advance in military defensive fortifications. Engineer Bastos Moreira cites 1690 as the date of its construction, under orders of King D. Pedro II.

Work to improve the stability and consolidate the structure was carried-out in the early 1980s, while the spaces were electrified after 1997 to provide illumination to the site.

Its plan consists of four lateral bastions and accentuated battery, with three of the sides crowned by roof. The walls are grounded in the rocky coast, with its extension circled by a curved frame anc crowned by battlement, only interrupted by corner bartizans (crowned by circular roofs over plinths and cannon emplacements along the battery. Along the northern bastion is a closed balcony wall (typical of medieval designs) on three canals and with culverts. At the centre of the flat facade of the frontispiece is the arched portico surmounted by the coat-of-arms of Portugal and lateral volutes.

In the interior, is a small square framed by three constructions covered by rooftile with ramps providing access to adarve and rooftops. The quarter include vaulted ceilings and fireplaces.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1640-1668
Category: Castles and fortifications in Portugal

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Paula Fernandes (3 years ago)
Linfo
Anne Elizabeth Harvey (3 years ago)
Small fort, not much of interest inside, harbour close by with access to sea wall.
carol joyner (5 years ago)
It's a fort on the beach that was closed when we eere there.
Theresia (5 years ago)
A really Nice place at the boulevard
Paulo Carvalho (5 years ago)
Very nice and preserved fort. Also has a nice view.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.