Quintela Grande Fort

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Vila Franca de Xira > Forte da Casa > Póvoa de Santa Iria e Forte da Casa

Location

The Quintela Grande Fort is located in the town of Forte da Casa, integrated into the union of parishes of Póvoa de Santa Iria and Forte da Casa, in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira. Erected at an altitude of eighty meters, on the Serra de Serves, this location offers a setting that still retains rural characteristics, allowing for a broad perspective of the surroundings. Its elevated position highlights its strategic importance in the past.

Memory of the Lines of Torres Vedras

This fort, identified as Military Work nº 36, is an integral part of the 2nd Line of the monumental defensive system of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Built in the 19th century, it played a crucial role in the defense of Lisbon against the Napoleonic invasions that ravaged Portugal at the beginning of that century. Its construction, by order of General Arthur Wellesley, aimed to create an insurmountable barrier, and it was in 1810 that Major Brandão de Sousa gave it the designation of "Quintela Grande", demonstrating its strategic relevance at the time.

Structure and Original Purpose

With an irregular plan, the Quintela Grande Fort was designed to function as an advanced redoubt, a fundamental support fortress in the defensive line. It was prepared to accommodate a significant garrison of three hundred and seventy soldiers, and at one point, it was estimated to possess nine twelve-pounder artillery pieces. These data reveal the scale and seriousness of its military role. Currently, the site serves as a striking historical-cultural landmark, inviting reflection on the region's military past.

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