Fort of the Pass

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Arruda dos Vinhos > Pontes de Monfalim

Location

The Passo Fort is situated in the locality of Pontes de Monfalim, in the municipality of Arruda dos Vinhos, within the district of Lisbon. Its position is strategic, typical of defensive military works, offering a setting that allowed for visual control of important routes and access points in the surrounding landscape. Its implantation reflects the careful selection of elevated points for defense and observation.

A Pillar of the Torres Vedras Lines

This site is a vital testament to Portuguese and British military strategy during the Napoleonic Wars. The Passo Fort is recognized as Military Work 12 of the renowned Torres Vedras Lines, a monumental defensive system secretly built between 1809 and 1810 to protect Lisbon from an eventual Napoleonic offensive. Its existence underscores the region's importance in defending national territory against the advance of French troops.

Architecture and Defensive Purpose

As an integral part of the Torres Vedras Lines, the Passo Fort was designed with purely functional architecture, adapted to the terrain and the needs for rapid and effective defense. Its structure is characterized by earthworks, ramparts, and moats that formed the backbone of these fortifications. These architectural elements reflect a practical and robust design, intended to withstand the combat of the era and serve as an essential point of resistance in the defense line.

Historical Memory and Scenic Value

Visiting the Passo Fort allows for an immersion into the military history of the 19th century, providing an understanding of the magnitude and intelligence behind the Torres Vedras Lines. Although it may show traces of its original structure, the site retains its symbolic and historical value. The surrounding landscape, where the fort is situated, contributes to the experience, revealing the wide panoramas that justified the choice of its strategic positioning, once crucial for surveillance and territorial control.

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