Fort of Ribeira Alva / Fort of Curral do Linho (remains) - Work No. 84

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Mafra > Paz

Location

Situated in the municipality of Mafra, in the tranquil locality of Paz, what remains of the Ribeira Alva Fort, also known as Curral do Linho Fort, stands in a rural and hilly landscape. Its position, strategically chosen at the time of its construction, offers a calm environment conducive to contemplation. The view extending from this point allows visitors to grasp the tactical dimension of the site, with the natural landscape shaping and interconnecting with the former defensive purposes.

The presence of the Ribeira Alva nearby suggests a valley or watercourse topography, an element frequently exploited in fortifications for territorial control. It is a place where nature, over time, has progressively reclaimed its space, giving it a serene and evocative character of the past.

Legacy of Historical Defense

The Ribeira Alva Fort / Curral do Linho Fort, identified as Work nº 84, is a silent testament to a crucial period in Portugal's history. Integrated into a vast defensive system, built in the early 19th century, its primary purpose was to protect the capital, Lisbon, from external invasions. The designation "Work nº 84" underscores its integration into a complex network of fortifications, where each point played a specific role in the overall strategy.

This site, although modest in its remaining dimensions, represents the ingenuity and strategic vision of those responsible for the defense of Portuguese territory. It was a vital support point, designed for the control of movements, troop accommodation, and potentially artillery positioning, contributing to the robustness of a defensive line that would prove decisive.

Vestiges and Memory on the Ground

Currently, the Ribeira Alva Fort / Curral do Linho Fort presents itself as a collection of vestiges that invite imagination and reflection. Visitors can observe the original contours of the fortification through the earthworks that still mark the terrain today, such as platforms or ditches that delineated the defensive perimeter. Indications of ancient structures can be discerned, such as the foundations of walls or shelters, which once constituted the heart of the fortification.

Walking through this site is an invitation to step back in time and visualize the soldiers, engineers, and human effort that were employed in its construction and maintenance. It is a space where historical memory merges with the natural landscape, allowing for a deeper understanding of the role these small, yet crucial, defensive works played in protecting the nation.

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