Mouguelas Stronghold

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > São Pedro da Cadeira > Pedra

Location

The Mouguelas Redoubt is located in a rural area, at an altitude of approximately 50 meters, in the locality of São Pedro da Cadeira, an integral part of the municipality of Torres Vedras. It is specifically situated in the area known as Pedra, offering a calm environment conducive to observing the surrounding countryside.

The Legacy of the French Invasions

This military structure dates back to the 19th century and is part of the famous Lines of Torres Vedras, a vast and ingenious defensive system. Built by order of General Wellington, the redoubt was crucial in the defense of Lisbon against the Napoleonic invasions that ravaged Portugal at the beginning of that century. Its purpose was strategic, integrating the first line of a fortified network that halted the advance of French troops.

Architecture and Military Function

Classified as a military work of the "redoubt" type, meaning a closed battery, the Mouguelas fort was conceived with a specific function in mind by its builders. Its structure was designed to accommodate a garrison of approximately 130 soldiers and equipped with 12-pounder artillery, constituting an essential defense point in the fortified line.

A Historical-Cultural Landmark

Currently, the Mouguelas Redoubt is recognized as an important historical-cultural landmark. Visiting the site allows direct contact with a piece of Portugal's military history, understanding the scale and complexity of the defenses erected to protect the country. Its preservation allows visitors a direct connection with the events that shaped the region during a period of great tension.

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