Witch's Stronghold

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Mugideira > Dois Portos e Runa

Location

The Feiteira Redoubt is located in the locality of Mugideira, integrated into the parish of Dois Portos and Runa, in the municipality of Torres Vedras, Lisbon district. Situated in a strategic position, the site offers unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, characteristic of the Oeste region, with its valleys and elevations extending to the horizon. Its location on elevated ground allowed for extensive visual control, essential to the military function it once performed, integrating cohesively with the natural environment.

The Legacy of the Torres Lines

The Feiteira Redoubt is one of the important structures that composed the Torres Lines, a vast defensive system built in the early 19th century. Classified as Military Work 129, this redoubt played a vital role in the defense of Lisbon against French invasions during the Peninsular War. Its construction, like that of the other fortifications of the Lines, reflects the military engineering of the time, aiming to block enemy advance and protect the capital. This site is thus a tangible testament to a crucial period in Portuguese and European history, marking the determination of a people in defending their territory.

Features of 19th-Century Defense

Although today it may only show the remnants of its original structure, the Feiteira Redoubt still allows a glimpse of the grandeur of a field fortification. Typically, these redoubts consisted of earth ramparts, with ditches and parapets, designed to house artillery and infantry, protecting troops and ensuring an effective firing line. Their design aimed to maximize defensive capacity, utilizing the terrain's characteristics to create natural obstacles and effective firing zones. Observing the contours of the land at this site is, therefore, to understand the military strategy that unfolded here and the magnificence of a work that changed the course of history.

Landscape and Heritage Setting

Set within a predominantly rural and tranquil environment, the Feiteira Redoubt benefits from a landscape that highlights its historical importance and its deep integration into the territory. The surrounding vegetation and the quietude of the place invite reflection on the past and the scale of the military work that once existed here. A visit allows not only contact with a historical monument of national significance but also an appreciation of the natural beauty of the Torres Vedras region. It is a place where history blends harmoniously with the landscape, offering a unique perspective on Portuguese military and natural heritage.

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