Military Works belonging to the Lines of Defence of Lisbon or Lines of Torres Vedras in the municipality of Loures.

Category: Military Architecture > Ensemble

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Torres Vedras > Santa Maria, São Pedro e Matacães

History of the Lines of Defence

The Lines of Torres Vedras were designed by the British commander Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) to protect Lisbon from French invasions.

Objective of the Fortifications

These fortifications had two main objectives: to prevent an invading army from reaching Lisbon and to guarantee a safe point for the embarkation of the British army in case of defeat.

Background

After the retreat of the French army from Spanish Extremadura, the Lines of Torres Vedras were built to protect Portugal from a possible French invasion led by Marshal Masséna.

Wellington's Strategy

The Duke of Wellington implemented a defensive strategy that included not accepting battles in open fields, taking advantage of the geography of the terrain, and creating conditions for the continuous supply of his troops.

Construction of the Lines of Defence

The fortifications were designed by Colonel Richard Fletcher and stretched for about 40 kilometers, passing through strategic locations such as Forte da Casa, Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras, and others.

Advanced Work

In addition to the main defensive lines, advanced works were built to control the main access routes to Lisbon, including positions in Castanheira, Monte Agraço, and Torres Vedras.

Local Contribution

The Lines of Defence of Lisbon were built with the help of thousands of Portuguese workers, militias, and ordinances, and played a crucial role in the protection of Portugal.

Well-Kept Secret

The defensive system of the Lines of Torres Vedras is considered one of the best-kept secrets in military history, due to the lack of knowledge about its true extent.

These topics offer an overview of the Lines of Defence of Lisbon and their historical importance, allowing tourists to explore the rich military heritage of the Loures region in Portugal.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linhas_de_Torres_Vedras

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