Fort of São Teodósio da Ponta do Cavalo

17th Century fort in Portugal
38°26′06″N 9°07′00″W / 38.43500°N 9.11667°W / 38.43500; -9.11667TypeBastion fortSite informationOperatorPortuguese NavyOpen to
the publicnoConditionWell maintainedSite historyBuilt1652Built bySebastião Pereira de FriasIn useuntil 1834MaterialsBrick and stone masonry

The Fort of São Teodósio da Ponta do Cavalo is a coastal fort located in a dominant position at the extreme west of the Bay of Sesimbra in the Setúbal District of Portugal. It was built between 1648 and 1652.[1]

History

During the period of the Portuguese Restoration War (1640-68), King John IV undertook a project to modernize the coastal defences of the country. This included the remodelling of existing fortresses and reinforcing their firepower, together with the construction of new fortresses located in strategic positions. The Fort of São Teodósio was part of the defensive line of the stretch of coast, known today as the Costa Azul (Blue Coast), stretching from Albarquel to Sesimbra, which was designed to assist with the defence of the important maritime settlement of Setúbal.[1][2]

The fort was named in honour of the Crown Prince, Dom Teodósio, Prince of Brazil. It was executed by the military engineer Sebastião Pereira de Frias. Built in the Mannerist style from stone and brick, it has an irregular polygonal plan, with two square bastions and a circular tower in the centre.[1][2][3]

The fortification was badly damaged by the earthquake in 1755 but never lost its strategic importance. In the 19th century it was garrisoned at the time of the Peninsular War, during the first French invasion led by General Junot (1807-08). Abandoned by troops in 1822, it was again used during the Liberal Wars (1828-34), but fell into disrepair thereafter. In 1895 a lighthouse was installed inside the fort.[2][3]

In the twentieth century, the original layout of the fort was altered to accommodate construction of a harbour and its access road. It is now occupied by the Portuguese Navy, which is also responsible for managing the lighthouse. Visits are not possible. [3]

  • flagPortugal portal

References

  1. ^ a b c "Forte do Cavalo". Sesimbra Cultural. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Oliveira, Catarina. "Forte do Cavalo". Patrimonio Cultural. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Forte de São Teodósio". Fortalezas.org. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
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Bastion forts in Portugal
Aveiro
Beja
Braga
Castelo
Branco
  • Forte de Ponte de Alvito
Coimbra
  • Fortress of Buarcos
  • Santa Catarina
  • Palheiros Fort
Évora
Faro
Guarda
Leiria
Lisbon
Lines of
Torres Vedras
Campo
Entrincheirado
Portalegre
Porto
Setúbal
Viana do
Castelo
Vila Real
Azores
Madeira
  • Nossa Senhora do Amparo (Madeira)
  • São José (Porto Santo)
  • São Lourenço (Madeira)
  • São Tiago (Madeira)
Name of the fort inserted in its district or autonomous region.