Fort of Coutada

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Venda do Pinheiro > Charneca

Location

Forte da Coutada is located in Charneca, an area integrated into the locality of Venda do Pinheiro, in the municipality of Mafra. Its position is historically relevant, as it was strategically built to guard one of the most important natural passages of the time, which connected Mafra to Montechique. Today, although situated in an urban area, the site still evokes the importance of its geographical surroundings for territorial defense.

A Legacy of Defense

This fort is a testament to the grandiose defensive network known as the Lines of Torres Vedras, a set of fortifications built in the early 19th century. Its construction, during the French Invasions, reveals a crucial period in Portugal's history, when the protection of Lisbon became a top priority. Forte da Coutada played a vital role in this system, being a strategic point in the defense of the territory against invading forces.

Design and Capacity

Designed as a robust structure, Forte da Coutada was conceived to accommodate a considerable number of military personnel, approximately 340 soldiers, which demonstrates its tactical relevance within the defensive network. In addition to troop accommodation capacity, the fort was equipped with heavy artillery. It possessed three 9-pounder cannons, essential for its firepower and for the effective vigilance and control of the passage it defended. Its design reflects the military engineering of the era, focused on resistance and defensive effectiveness.

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