Prainha Fort

Category: Nature > Fort

District: Açores > Vila do Porto > Termo da Igreja

Location

Prainha Fort is strategically located on the island of Santa Maria, Azores. It is situated at the western end of Praia Bay, in the locality of Prainha, part of the civil parish of Almagreira, in the municipality of Vila do Porto. Given its elevation and proximity to the sea, the fort offers a privileged perspective over the bay, providing a tranquil environment and unobstructed views of the ocean and the surrounding coastline.

This location, by itself, invites observation of the coastal landscape and enjoyment of the serene natural environment that embraces it.

Historical Overview

Built for the purpose of coastal defense, Prainha Fort played a crucial role in protecting the local anchorage. Its construction aimed to safeguard this stretch of coastline from the frequent attacks by pirates and privateers who once sailed the waters of the Atlantic. In the early 18th century, during the War of the Spanish Succession, this fort was one of the strongholds that reinforced the security of Praia Bay.

Records from 1815 describe the site as a "castle" with a fishing boat slipway, indicating a connection to fishing activity, and mention the existence of two iron artillery pieces. However, by 1862, the fort was already in ruins. Its isolated position contributed to its relative preservation over time, with indications that it was used as a lookout during World War II, a period from which remnants of a small concrete structure can still be observed inside.

Structure and Elements

Prainha Fort features a rectangular plan, built with mortared stone masonry, characteristic of coastal fortifications of the era. In its robust walls, five gunports can be identified, which allowed for the positioning of artillery pieces for the defense of the bay.

Inside the terreplein, where a small house for the fort's garrison once stood, this structure no longer exists. Visitors can, however, observe the remaining walls and, in some places, find inscriptions on the walls, silent testimonies to the passage of time and those who were there. The solidity of its construction and its adaptation to the terrain are evident, reflecting the military engineering of its time.

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