Porto Pim Bombard.

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Açores > Horta > Horta > Bairro Mouzinho de Albuquerque

Location

The Porto Pim Bombardeira is located in the city of Horta, specifically in the parish of Angústias, integrated into the Mouzinho de Albuquerque Neighborhood. It is situated along Travessa de Porto Pim and Rua da Areinha Velha, in an area that was once fundamental for the defense of Faial Island. Its position offers a glimpse of Porto Pim Bay, an area with a serene landscape and sea views, inviting a stroll through its surroundings.

Testament to a Defensive Past

This military structure, also known as Forte do Porto Pim (Porto Pim Fort), is an important part of the complex of fortifications that protected Porto Pim Bay. Historically, before the construction of Horta's commercial port in 1876, this bay was the city's main port, which underscores the strategic relevance of the Bombardeira. Records indicate a battery existed on the site as early as the 16th century, and the current structure, though considered more recent, dates back to the 17th century, serving as a testament to the defensive engineering of the era.

Over time, the Bombardeira served different purposes. In the late 19th century, for example, it served as a coal and ship material depot. Although it lost its original military function, it remains a striking element of Horta's naval and defensive history.

Architecture and Features

The Porto Pim Bombardeira is an example of bastioned military architecture, conceived as an elevated battery over a vaulted structure with two compartments. Access to the platform was via a three-flight staircase. On the terreplein, there were three embrasures (cannon slots), the openings for artillery pieces. However, historical accounts question the practicality of its use, given its peculiar location and the difficulty in moving artillery through the narrow staircase.

Currently, only some of the embrasures remain, which, despite the changes undergone over time, still allow observation of the original conception of this fortification. By exploring the site, one can imagine the complexity of its construction and the role it would have played in the island's defense.

A Classified Heritage Site

The Porto Pim Bombardeira is recognized as a Property of Public Interest, a classification that attests to its historical and architectural value. Furthermore, the structure is integrated into the Protected Landscape of Monte da Guia, linking it to a broader context of natural and landscape conservation. Its presence reminds us of the importance of preserving these sites that connect the Faialense community to its maritime and strategic heritage.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt