Fortress of São João das Maias

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Caxias > Bairro Comandante Joaquim Matias

Location

The Fort of São João das Maias is located in the picturesque village of Caxias, in the municipality of Oeiras, more specifically in the area known as Bairro Comandante Joaquim Matias. Its position is strategic, at the eastern end of the Praia de Santo Amaro cove and on the right bank of the Tagus estuary. This location offers a privileged perspective over the river bar and the Atlantic, being a point where the coastal landscape meets military history.

Historical Memory

Built in the 17th century, between 1644 and 1653, the Fort of São João das Maias is a testament to the Portuguese Restoration War of independence. Its primary objective was to reinforce the defense of the city of Lisbon and the Tagus bar, integrating a crucial defensive line that extended from Cabo da Roca to Belém Tower. The works were supervised by important figures of the time and, according to tradition, were overseen by Captain Álvaro de Sousa, whose name and the date 1644 are marked above the main gate. Over the centuries, the fort underwent several interventions and adaptations, including expansions and reinforcements, reflecting its strategic importance at different moments in Portuguese history, such as its integration into the Lines of Torres Vedras in the early 19th century.

Architectural Features

This small maritime fort exhibits a Mannerist design, characterized by its irregularly pentagonal plan, built of robust masonry. Notable features include its merlons (battlements) and cylindrical sentry boxes topped with domes, typical elements of military architecture of the era. Access to its interior is through a main gate with a perfect arch, built of stonework. Inside, there is a strong-house, originally intended for the garrison, and a chapel. This chapel houses a remarkable lining of 18th-century monochromatic tiles, depicting figures such as Santa Rosália and Saint Roque, lending a particular cultural and artistic value to the structure.

The Fort in the Landscape

The location of the Fort of São João das Maias is not only strategically important from a military perspective but also possesses undeniable scenic beauty. Its presence in the Praia de Santo Amaro cove lends a distinctive element to the local landscape, where military architecture merges with the natural coastal environment. From the fort, it is possible to contemplate the vast expanse of the Tagus estuary and the maritime dynamics, offering an invitation to reflect on the role this place played in protecting the capital over the centuries.

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