Strong Second of Subserra

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Vila Franca de Xira > São João dos Montes > Subserra

Location

Fort Segundo da Subserra, also known as Forte dos Sacos, is located in the Subserra area, part of the locality of São João dos Montes, in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira. Erected at an altitude of 264 meters, this fort offers a dominant position in the rural landscape of the Serra de São Lourenço. Its location was strategically chosen to control the area, providing wide views over the surroundings, especially the escarped front of Alhandra.

Memories of Defense

This military structure dates back to the early 19th century, having been a crucial element of the First Line of the defensive system of the Lines of Torres Vedras. It was built by order of General Wellesley, with the objective of protecting the capital, Lisbon, against the French invasions that ravaged Portuguese territory. Conceived as a flanking redoubt, its function was to defend the Alhandra region, ensuring the integrity of the defensive line. At its peak, the fort was prepared to house a garrison of one hundred soldiers and had artillery to fulfill its mission.

Heritage and Landscape

Currently, Fort Segundo da Subserra is recognized as an important historical-cultural landmark. It is part of the classification of the Lines of Torres Vedras, a vast defensive complex that testifies to a decisive period in Portuguese history. Its existence not only evokes the military past but also fits into a rural environment that invites the observation of nature and landscape. Today, the site holds recreational and cultural value, allowing visitors a connection with the military heritage and the natural environment of the Vila Franca de Xira region.

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