Ribaldeira's Portela stronghold

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Mesquita

Location

The Redoubt of Portela da Ribaldeira is located in the village of Mesquita, within the municipality of Torres Vedras. Erected at an altitude of 255 meters, this former defensive point is situated on a steep plateau, naturally isolated between the areas known as Quinta da Anoteira and Ribaldeira. Its predominantly rural setting allows for an experience of tranquility and offers perspectives on the surrounding landscape, characteristic of the Torres Vedras region.

Memory of Defense

This redoubt, also nicknamed the Ribaldeira Fort, is a military construction from the 19th century and one of the many elements that constitute the monumental defensive system of the Lines of Torres Vedras. It was conceived with a vital strategic purpose: the defense of Lisbon against the onslaughts of French troops during the Peninsular Wars. Its construction, which occurred in 1810, is part of the first defensive line and reflects the urgency and military ingenuity of the time, ordered by General Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington), to halt the Napoleonic advance on the Portuguese capital.

Structure and Conception

The architecture of the Redoubt of Portela da Ribaldeira is of a military typology, with an irregular polygon plan that adapts to the terrain profile where it was erected. Its conception aimed for maximum effectiveness in the use of field artillery. This design allowed for the strategic positioning of cannons, capable of covering a vast area and controlling access to the region, demonstrating the functionality and tactical thinking behind these 19th-century defensive structures.

A Historic Landmark

Currently, the Redoubt of Portela da Ribaldeira no longer serves military functions, having been recognized as an important historical-cultural landmark. It is an integral part of the legacy of the Lines of Torres Vedras, a collection of fortifications that remain as a testament to the resistance and military engineering of yesteryear. Visiting this site provides a direct connection with a fundamental period in Portuguese and European history, offering a space to contemplate the heritage value and the natural scenery that surrounds it.

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