Fortress of Saint Amaro of Areeiro

Category: Military Architecture > Fortress

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Caxias > Alto da Barra

Location

The Fort of Santo Amaro do Areeiro stands in a strategic position in the locality of Caxias, in Oeiras, more specifically in the area known as Alto da Barra. Its placement, next to Praia da Lage and on the right bank of the Ribeira da Lage, allowed for privileged surveillance over the entrance to the bar of the Tagus Estuary. Although it is not currently a site for open visitation, its coastal location offers perspectives on the maritime landscape and the river's mouth.

A Defensive Legacy

This fort was designed and built in the 17th century, in the context of the War of the Restoration of Portuguese Independence. Construction began in 1647 and was completed in 1659, a date still marked on an inscription above the main gate. Its primary purpose was to reinforce the defensive system of the capital, Lisbon, by controlling access via the estuary and complementing the action of other coastal fortifications. It is characterized by military architecture with a bastioned layout, in Mannerist style, demonstrating the defensive principles of the era.

Trajectory and Access

Over the centuries, the Fort of Santo Amaro do Areeiro has undergone various phases of conservation and served different purposes. It was garrisoned and armed with several pieces, experiencing periods of deterioration and recovery works. It passed through various hands, from military garrison to family residence and even a holiday camp for children. After the 1974 Revolution, it even hosted political gatherings. Currently, observation of its exterior is hindered by a high wall, built for security reasons. Access to its interior requires specific permission, making it a municipal heritage site to be understood more through its history and location than through the physical exploration of its space.

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