Redoubt of Outeiro da Prata

Category: Archaeology > Redoubt

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Ribeira de Pedrulhos > Outeiro da Prata

Location

The Redoubt of Outeiro da Prata is located in the area that gave it its name, Outeiro da Prata, within the locality of Ribeira de Pedrulhos, in the municipality of Torres Vedras. Situated on the crest of Casal da Serra, this point rises to an altitude of 76 meters.

Its strategic position allows visitors to enjoy a vast panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, including the village and the surrounding hills, in an environment that still retains a predominantly rural character today.

Historical Legacy

This redoubt, built in the 19th century, was a fundamental piece of the vast defensive system known as the Lines of Torres Vedras. Its construction, around 1810, took place during the period of the French Invasions, having been one of the structures designed to protect the capital, Lisbon.

The Redoubt of Outeiro da Prata is a testament to the defensive capabilities and military strategy adopted at the time, originally serving as a fort. Currently, the site is recognized as an important historical and cultural landmark, keeping alive the memory of the events that shaped this region.

Structure and Function

Designed as a closed battery, the Redoubt of Outeiro da Prata was conceived to house a military garrison. It is estimated that it could accommodate about 110 soldiers and would have been equipped with four 12-pounder artillery pieces, demonstrating its importance in the defensive system.

The structure of the redoubt is in good state of conservation, preserving its flattened top, characteristic of military constructions of the period. Observing its architecture allows one to understand the ingenuity and robustness of the early 19th-century fortifications.

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