Fortress of São Teodósio da Cadaveira

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Cascais > São João do Estoril > Cascais e Estoril

Location

Situated on the picturesque coast of São João do Estoril, the Forte de São Teodósio da Cadaveira stands above Praia da Poça, offering a direct view of the Atlantic. It is strategically positioned next to Avenida Marginal, integrating into the coastal landscape between Cascais and Estoril. Its location allows for observation of the coastline and the region's maritime dynamics.

Origin and Defensive Purpose

This fort, sometimes also referred to as Forte de São João or Forte da Cadaveira, has its roots in the 17th century, more precisely with the beginning of its construction in 1642. It was part of a robust network of maritime fortifications, built during the crucial period of the Portuguese Restoration of Independence. Its main objective was to safeguard the coastline between Belém Tower and Cabo da Roca, preventing enemy landings. Together with other nearby defensive structures, such as the Forte de Santo António, it ensured coordinated defense through crossfire, specifically protecting Praia da Poça. It was named in honor of Prince D. Teodósio, Duke of Bragança, eldest son of D. João IV of Portugal.

Architectural Design

The architecture of Forte de São Teodósio da Cadaveira reflects the common model of small coastal fortifications of the era. It features a quadrangular plan, clearly divided into two rectangular areas. One corresponded to the battery, facing the sea and protected by a parapet, from which weapons were fired. The other housed the quarters, above which there was a terrace with a parapet, allowing musket fire from the land side. The interior structure consisted of a vaulted building, with a central patio providing access to barracks and the powder magazine, arranged laterally. Over time, the fortification was subject to reinforcements, such as the construction of an outer curtain of trenches and the addition of sentry boxes at its corners.

Trajectory and Classification

Over the centuries, the fort witnessed several phases. Despite reports of ruins in the 18th century, its strategic importance was reborn in critical moments, such as during attempts to prevent landings due to epidemics or its restoration during the Portuguese Civil War in the 19th century. After losing its military functions in the mid-19th century, it was ceded to civil entities, passing through the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais and, later, the Fiscal Guard. Its architectural integrity was altered in 1942, with the demolition of part of its parapets for the construction of Avenida Marginal. Currently, the Forte de São Teodósio da Cadaveira is classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1977, although its state of conservation, as recorded in 2023, is that of ruins.

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