Category: Military Architecture > Fort
District: Açores > Horta > Horta > Angústias
Santa Cruz Castle stands imposingly in the parish of Angústias, in the city of Horta, Faial. It is strategically located next to the old disembarkation pier, in the historic heart of the town. Its privileged position offers an unobstructed view of Horta bay and the channel, a maritime setting of great natural beauty and significant historical importance.
This fort, which was the island's main fortification, dominated the port entrance, allowing visual and defensive control over approaching vessels. Its proximity to the central area of the city makes it easily accessible for those exploring Horta on foot, naturally integrating into the urban and maritime landscape.
The history of Santa Cruz Castle dates back to the mid-16th century, a time when the Azores became a strategic point for fleets returning from Africa, India, and Brazil, also attracting pirates and privateers. To protect the island, this fortification was designed, initially named Forte de Santo António (Fort of Saint Anthony), with plans outlined by military architect Tommaso Benedetto in 1567.
Over the centuries, the fort witnessed and actively participated in several significant moments. It responded to attempted landings by enemy forces, such as the Spanish armada in 1583, and suffered attacks and looting by English privateers in 1589 and 1597, who took artillery pieces and set its facilities on fire. Despite the adversities, the castle was always repaired and maintained its defensive function, serving, from 1650 onwards, as barracks for Horta's military garrison for centuries.
Santa Cruz Castle features a pentagonal plan, a characteristic of military architecture of the time, designed to maximize its defensive capability. Its robust walls were built with local materials: the lower part is made of basalt stonework, a dark and resistant volcanic rock, while the upper part, including the battlements and sentry boxes, uses volcanic tuff, lighter and lighter in color.
The Gate of Arms (Portão de Armas), the main entrance facing land, is notable for its emblazoned portal with a perfect arch, which can still be admired today. Its unique location on a spit (a rocky outcrop) served as a natural base, demonstrating the ingenuity in its conception. Inside, there were various auxiliary dependencies for the garrison, such as lodgings, warehouses, and even a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony, essential elements for the daily lives of the soldiers.
Beyond its importance as a defensive structure, Santa Cruz Castle is also a symbol of Faial's persistence and history. One of the most famous episodes occurred in 1814, during the Anglo-American War, when Horta port was the scene of a naval battle between an American privateer brig and a British squadron, with the fort maintaining Portuguese neutrality. An artillery piece from this battle, known as "Long Tom," was installed in the fort for several decades before being returned to the United States.
The castle's classification as a National Monument in 1947 sealed its recognition as an invaluable heritage. Its imposing presence, despite renovations over time, continues to evoke the memory of a past marked by the need for defense and Horta's centrality on maritime routes. Its outer walls, the only ones remaining from the original defensive system, are a testament to its strength and adaptability over more than four centuries.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.531466,-28.625964
Coordinates DMS: 38°31'53.3"N 28°37'33.5"W
Weather Horta
On-duty Pharmacy Horta
