Category: Military Architecture > Tower
District: Faro > Olhão > Bias do Sul > Arte Nova
The Bias 2 Tower is located in the Art Nouveau area, in the tranquil locality of Bias do Sul, part of the municipality of Olhão. Positioned on a small hillock, at an altitude of about 31 meters, this tower benefited from a strategic situation. Its location allowed for wide visibility over the natural surroundings of the Ria Formosa and its islands, with views extending to the sea.
Likely dating from between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Bias 2 Tower was part of a fundamental coastal defense system for the security of the Algarve coastline. These constructions, known as watchtowers, were essential observation points for detecting and alerting about maritime threats, attesting to the importance of territorial vigilance in bygone times. The discovery of fragments of Islamic pottery in its vicinity suggests an origin intertwined with the region's Muslim history.
Although time has left its mark, the Bias 2 Tower still allows a glimpse of what was once a robust fortification. Currently, the structure is reduced to its foundations and remnants of two of its former elevations, namely those on the south side, about 12.4 meters long, and on the east side, 7 meters, both approximately 34 centimeters high. These remains reveal a meticulous construction technique, with ashlar stone walls, some of them rusticated, complemented by smaller stones, highlighting the solidity of its original design.
The site where the remains of the Bias 2 Tower stand, classified as a Monument of Public Interest, offers a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape. The elevation provides an unobstructed field of view over the vastness of the Ria Formosa, its winding channels, and barrier islands. It is a spot for those seeking a break in nature and wishing to appreciate the serenity of the environment, while reflecting on the role these ancient structures played in the coastal defense of the Algarve.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.0489473, -7.7704351
Coordinates DMS: 37°02'56.2"N 07°46'13.6"W
On-duty Pharmacy Bias do Sul
