Couratão Fort

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Castelo Branco > Proença-a-Nova > Montes da Senhora > Catraia Cimeira

Location

The Couratão Fort is nestled inland, in the picturesque region of the Castelo Branco district. More specifically, it is located in the municipality of Proença-a-Nova, within the locality of Montes da Senhora, in the area known as Catraia Cimeira.

This strategic location positions it at the summit of the Cabeço do Couratão, an elevation that naturally provides a visual dominance over the surrounding landscape. Its location points to times when territorial control and defense played a crucial role in the organization of the territory.

The Redoubt and Its Function

The Couratão Fort is, in essence, an ancient redoubt, a smaller type of military fortification, designed for point defense or as an observation post. Although it may not feature the imposing walls of a larger fortress, its importance lay in its ability to control elevated points or strategic passages.

Currently, what is observed is essentially the embankment that constituted the base of this defensive structure. These remnants of earthworks are a silent testament to a more elementary, but no less functional, military architecture, adapted to the terrain and the vigilance and defense needs that once existed in this corner of the region.

Perspectives and Natural Surroundings

The elevation where the Couratão Fort is situated offers a broad perspective over the horizon, typical of the locations chosen for watchtower functions. The surroundings are marked by the natural beauty of the landscape, lending the site an atmosphere of tranquility and a view that invites contemplation of the wild nature and distant valleys.

At the top of this embankment, one can find the geodesic marker "Talhadas", an element that marks the altitude and the exact geographical position of the site. This marker underscores the importance of Cabeço do Couratão as a reference point, both for cartography and for understanding its strategic role throughout history.

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