Fort of Bom Sucesso

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Pedrouços

Location

The Bom Sucesso Fort is located in the riverside area of Pedrouços, in Lisbon, on the right bank of the Tagus River. Its position offers a privileged perspective over the estuary, framed by a wide and landscaped urban environment. The site allows contemplating the fluvial and maritime landscape that was, over the centuries, crucial for the city's defense.

This fortress is set in a context that allows for a relaxed stroll along the river, enjoying the breeze and the tranquil atmosphere that contrasts with the monument's military history. It is an interesting observation point for those who appreciate Lisbon's connection with the Tagus.

A Chapter in Coastal Defense

Dating from the late 18th century, specifically between 1780 and 1782, the Bom Sucesso Fort was designed to reinforce the defensive line of the Tagus estuary bar. Its construction, supervised by General Guilherme de Vallerée, reveals the concern to protect the capital from threats coming from the sea.

Throughout its existence, the fortification underwent several transformations and modernizations, especially in the 19th century, when it received heavy artillery, becoming an integral part of a larger defense system. Its history reflects the evolution of military strategies and the importance of coastal protection for Portugal.

The Fortified Architecture

The structure of the Bom Sucesso Fort features an irregular polygonal plan, designed for maximum defensive effectiveness. Its robust walls, with circular sentry boxes at the ends, surround a space that once housed ammunition depots and artillery pieces. The main building, which served as the governor's residence, stands out for its facade divided into sections, with a large central arch that originally provided access to the beach, now blocked.

The interior of the fortress reveals support dependencies, such as old barracks and facilities for officers, interconnected by a corridor. The mixed masonry construction, with limestone ashlar and wrought iron finishes, gives the fort an aesthetic of solidity and durability, essential characteristics of a military work of its time.

A Space of Memory

Today, the Bom Sucesso Fort has assumed a new purpose, transforming into a space dedicated to memory and Portuguese military history. Since the 1990s, its premises have housed the Combatant's Museum, which explores various aspects of Portugal's participation in conflicts, from the Great War to the most recent peace operations.

This place offers the opportunity to explore permanent exhibitions that address the life of soldiers, the evolution of military aviation, and weaponry throughout the centuries. It is an invitation to reflect on the past and on the meaning of military service and sacrifice in a country's history.

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