Redoubt of Outeiro da Forca

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

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

Location

Located in the parish of Santa Maria, São Pedro e Matacães, in Torres Vedras, the Redoubt of Outeiro da Forca is situated within an urban area. Rising to an altitude of 68 meters, this redoubt played a crucial role as a defensive point, marking the eastern border of the city and offering a strategic view over the valley stretching before it.

A Military Legacy

This redoubt, also known as the Fort of Forca, dates back to the 19th century and is a testament to the military engineering of that era. Built to house a garrison of approximately 300 soldiers and equipped with seven artillery pieces, it played a crucial role as a defensive point. Its construction is part of the strategic Lines of Torres Vedras, a defensive system erected by order of General Wellesley to protect Lisbon during the French Invasions.

A Point of Historical Interest

Currently, the Redoubt of Outeiro da Forca is recognized as an important historical-cultural landmark, forming part of the classified ensemble of the Lines of Torres Vedras. This site allows visitors to reflect on the complex periods of conflict that shaped the Portuguese territory. The very designation of the redoubt, "Forca" (Gallows), refers to the peculiar geomorphological formation of the adjacent valley, adding a layer of interest to its history and the surrounding landscape.

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