Category: Military Architecture > Fort
District: Leiria > Peniche > Peniche
The Forte da Luz (Fort of Light) is located in Peniche, in the Oeste region, occupying a strategic position on the southern slope of the peninsula. It stands on natural cliffs, overlooking the sea and the fishing port to the east. Its location grants it a scenic environment, with the coastal landscape framing this imposing monument.
This site is easily accessible in the town of Peniche, standing out as a striking element in the region's urban and maritime landscape. Its seaside setting provides an environment that invites observation and reflection.
With its origins in the 16th century, the Forte da Luz is a historic military fortress, classified as a National Monument since 1938. Over the centuries, its walls have witnessed different moments in Portugal's history, primarily serving coastal defense purposes due to its strategic location.
The military architecture of the fortress, with its defensive elements and robust structures, reveals its importance in the maritime security system of yesteryear. A visit to its spaces allows one to appreciate the engineering and planning of fortifications of that era.
From April 1974, with the release of political prisoners, the Peniche fortress gained special significance, becoming a symbol of resistance and the struggle for freedom in Portugal. To preserve this legacy, the site was transformed into the National Museum of Resistance and Liberty.
The museum is a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and freedom in the fight against dictatorship and for democracy. Inside, a Memorial to Political Prisoners, a large corten steel piece, displays the names of approximately 3,000 people who were detained in this prison. A visit offers an educational and immersive journey through testimonies, objects, and documents that portray repression and human resilience.
The project to adapt the fortress into a museum valued the existing spaces, recognizing their importance as historical testimonies. The former prison establishment, with its cell blocks and independent courtyards, was reorganized to create routes that allow visitors to relate the different buildings and areas.
It is possible to explore a specific museological route through the buildings and courtyards of the former political prison, as well as another route that allows observation of the original elements of the 16th-century fortress, which are the matrix of the military architecture of the complex. The union of the fortification's history with the memory of resistance creates a space conducive to reflection on democratic values and human rights.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.37053817481365, -9.372091178394408
Coordinates DMS: 39°22'13.9"N 09°22'19.5"W
On-duty Pharmacy Peniche
