Reduto da Carregueira

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Ventosa > Pedra

Location

The Redoubt of Carregueira, sometimes known as the Fort of Galpeira, is situated in the area of Pedra, in the locality of Ventosa, within the municipality of Torres Vedras. Erected at an altitude of approximately 150 to 160 meters, it is set within a predominantly rural environment. Its elevated position offers a broad perspective of the surrounding landscape, once fundamental for its strategic role in territorial control.

A Chapter of Military History

This 19th-century construction stands as an important testament to 19th-century military architecture. The Redoubt of Carregueira was integrated into the crucial First Defensive Line of the renowned Lines of Torres Vedras, a vast and ingenious defensive system erected to protect Lisbon from French invasions during the Peninsular War. Its construction, in 1809, was ordered by General Wellesley, later known as the Duke of Wellington, reflecting the urgency and strategic vision of the era. In 1810, Major Brandão de Sousa assigned it the designation of Carregueira, a name that echoes its historical relevance.

Purpose and Structure

The fort was designed as a closed battery, intended to house a garrison of approximately one hundred and fifty soldiers and equipped with four nine-pounder artillery pieces. Its strategic position was of vital importance, functioning as a defensive and communication link between other fortifications of the line, ensuring protection and coordination along an extensive theater of operations. Its structure and layout reflect the military engineering of the time, prioritizing defensive effectiveness over any ornamental elements.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Currently, the Redoubt of Carregueira holds significant importance as a historical and cultural landmark. Its preservation allows for a direct connection with one of the most decisive periods in Portugal's history, offering an opportunity to engage with the past. As an integral part of the Lines of Torres Vedras, this redoubt contributes to the collective memory of a time of great resistance and remarkable strategic planning, inviting reflection on the events that shaped the nation's destiny in the 19th century.

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