Category: Military Architecture > Fort
District: Açores > Horta > Horta > Angústias
Greta Castle is located on Ponta da Greta, in the parish of Angústias, in Horta. Its position is remarkable, rising on the escarpment of Monte da Guia. From this location, one can see Horta Bay and the surrounding coastal landscape, being part of the Monte da Guia Protected Landscape area.
Its location offers a privileged perspective over the entrance to Horta, a strategic point that justified its construction over the centuries.
The construction of Greta Castle began in 1666, during a period of particular importance for the defense of Horta. Its main purpose was to protect the island from constant attacks by pirates and privateers who once sailed the Atlantic waters. This fortification was part of a broader defensive system, which included other walls on Monte da Guia, some of which are still visible.
Although currently in ruins, the castle's structure is a testament to its military relevance in times past. Throughout the 20th century, part of the old building was demolished for the opening of a road, and in the 1950s, platforms for maritime surveillance radars were installed inside it, elements that coexist with the original vestiges.
The structure of Greta Castle presents an irregular rectangular polygon plan, built in stone masonry. Its most visible elements include the twelve gun emplacements that opened in a line, all facing the sea, demonstrating its defensive function. In the past, a building with two compartments stood on its eastern end.
The remnants of the fortification allow one to observe the robustness of its original construction, which integrates with the natural environment of Monte da Guia. The site is classified as a Property of Public Interest, recognizing its heritage value and its importance in the panorama of Azorean military architecture.
Greta Castle is located in one of the most emblematic areas of Faial Island, the Monte da Guia Protected Landscape. Its location provides a scenic environment, where military history merges with the natural beauty of the volcanic landscape. The view over Horta Bay and the neighboring Pico Island from this point is one of the distinctive aspects of the visit.
Walking alongside the castle's vestiges allows one to feel the atmosphere of a place that was once a vigilant sentinel over the ocean, offering today a space to observe nature and the historical dimension of Horta.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.5197747,-28.6201067
Coordinates DMS: 38°31'11.2"N 28°37'12.4"W
Weather Horta
On-duty Pharmacy Horta
