Redoubt of Outeiro da França

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Ventosa

Location

The Outeiro da França Redoubt is located in the village of Ventosa, within the municipality of Torres Vedras, in the district of Lisbon. This strategic position, on elevated ground, offers it a privileged perspective over the surrounding landscape, which stretches across valleys and hills characteristic of the region.

The environment surrounding the redoubt is predominantly rural and serene, inviting contemplation of nature and the vast horizon that unfolds around it. Its location allows visitors a tranquil immersion in the natural scenery of the Oeste region, far from urban bustle.

Memory of the Torres Lines

This site is historically recognized as Military Work 136 of the famous Torres Vedras Lines. Erected in the early 19th century, this redoubt was part of a complex and ingenious defensive system, hastily built to contain the advance of Napoleonic troops invading Portugal.

Its importance lay in its ability to monitor and control enemy movements, being one of the many fortified points that interconnected to create an impassable barrier. The Outeiro da França Redoubt is thus a tangible testimony of military engineering and the resilience of a people in the face of external threat.

Defensive Architecture

As a military work, the Outeiro da França Redoubt is a classic example of the field fortification architecture of its time. It is characterized by a structure designed for defense, primarily using earthworks and ditches, elements that allowed for rapid construction and great defensive effectiveness.

Its design aimed to maximize the protection of defenders and the range of their fire, integrating intelligently with the terrain's topography to optimize its strategic capabilities. The remains observed today allow for an understanding of the robustness and original purpose of this construction.

Natural Setting and Views

The elevation where the redoubt is situated provides remarkable panoramic views of the rural landscape. The observer can appreciate the vastness of the fields, the small scattered population centers, and the green frame that defines this segment of the Torres Vedras municipality.

This natural setting offers a peaceful counterpoint to the redoubt's original military function, inviting the enjoyment of a calm environment and the observation of the region's biodiversity, making the visit an experience that combines history and appreciation for nature.

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