Picoto Fort (remains) - Work No. 92

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Santo Isidoro > Cão Danado

Location

The Picoto Fort, also known by its military designation of Work nº 92, is strategically located in the municipality of Mafra, in the parish of Santo Isidoro, in Cão Danado. Its elevated position affords it a privileged perspective over the surroundings, dominating the hills and valleys that characterize this predominantly rural area of the Lisbon district. The surrounding environment is marked by nature, with vegetation that, although sometimes dense, does not hide the historical importance of the site.

Memory of Defence

This discreet site is a silent testimony to a crucial period in Portugal's history. Constituting one of the pillars of an extensive network of fortifications, built in the early 19th century, the Picoto Fort was conceived with the crucial purpose of protecting the capital, Lisbon, from military invasions. Its construction aimed to ensure robust territorial defence, intelligently leveraging geographical features to create a strategic obstacle to the advance of enemy forces.

The Remains and the Landscape

Currently, the Picoto Fort is mostly presented in the form of remains. Although the original structures may be reduced to mere land elevations, modest stone ruins, or faint outlines, the site retains a profound aura of historical importance. The visitor can still discern the lines that once formed the defences, such as the ditches and firing platforms. The natural surroundings and the amplitude of the views enjoyed from here invite contemplation and imagination of its challenging past and the role it played in the country's defence.

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