Milreu Fort

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Ericeira > Alto de Ribeira d'Ilhas

Location

Forte do Milreu is located in Ericeira, in the municipality of Mafra, in an area known as Alto de Ribeira d'Ilhas. Its elevated position, on a cliff on the coast, offers a comprehensive view. Situated approximately three kilometers north of the village of Ericeira, the fort dominates the landscape between Praia de São Sebastião and Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas, ensuring a privileged observation point over the coast and the fishing port.

Historical and Defensive Memory

This fort, sometimes also referred to as Forte de São Pedro, is one of the few remnants of the fortifications erected in Portugal during the Restoration of Independence, around 1670. Its primary function was coastal defense, controlling sea access to Ericeira from the north and protecting Ribeira d'Ilhas bay from possible landings. Over the centuries, Forte do Milreu witnessed various adversities, from climatic challenges and earthquakes that damaged it, to periods of abandonment and recovery, remaining a symbol of the region's military history.

Mannerist Architecture and Military Elements

With a rectangular plan and built in the Mannerist style, Forte do Milreu is an example of the military architecture of its time. The main building, the keep, features vaulted compartments, and its main façade is marked by an arched gatehouse. Notable elements include the wide battery, an esplanade facing the sea equipped with gunports, and two cylindrical sentry boxes with conical roofs, typical features of coastal fortifications used for surveillance and defense.

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