Old Boavista Lookout

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Leiria > Marinha Grande > Marinha Grande > Boavista

Location

The Old Boavista Watchtower stands in the urban area of Boavista, within the city of Marinha Grande. Positioned on an elevated point of the locality, at about 95 meters of altitude, this structure stands out in the urban landscape, offering a comprehensive perspective over the surroundings. Its integration into the Boavista area makes it easily identifiable for those traveling through the city.

A Legacy of Forest Surveillance

This old post, once known as Ponto da Boavista, was built with the primary mission of detecting and preventing fires in the vast Pinhal de Leiria. Its construction began in 1872 and was completed in 1885, making it one of the oldest landmarks dedicated to forest protection. For decades, the watchtower played a vital role, functioning as a node in a communication network. Forest rangers, who resided in a small annex house, ensured continuous surveillance, using flags during the day and luminous signals at night to alert about fire outbreaks. Its watch function was deactivated in the 1960s, as Marinha Grande expanded and urbanization enveloped the site, superseding its original utility for observing the pine forest.

Unique Architectural Features

The architecture of the Old Boavista Watchtower is remarkable for its peculiar design, which evokes the image of a lighthouse. The tower features a robust masonry structure and a distinctive octagonal shape. Access to the top is via a spiral staircase, located inside the tower. Initially, the cupola that crowned it was made of wood; however, in 1898, it was replaced by a stone one, giving it greater durability and a more imposing finish, consistent with its relevance in the landscape.

Guardian of Memory

Currently, the Old Boavista Watchtower is under the guardianship of the League of Combatants, which has taken responsibility for its preservation. In the late 1990s, significant restoration and adaptation works were carried out, both on the tower and on the attached house, where the watchmen once lived. This commitment allowed the integrity of the structure and its history to be kept alive, ensuring that the site remains a point of reference and a symbol of the collective memory of Marinha Grande, bearing witness to its past in fighting forest fires and its importance to the community.

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