Fortress of Our Lady of the Snows

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Porto > Matosinhos > Leça da Palmeira > Leixões

Coastal Location

The Fort of Nossa Senhora das Neves majestically rises in Leça da Palmeira, in the municipality of Matosinhos, along the coastline. Its elevated position offers wide views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Leixões area, which stretches out before it. Although located in an urban area with multi-story dwellings, the fort maintains a prominent presence, serving as a visual landmark in the local maritime landscape.

Historical Roots

The history of this fort dates back to the 17th century, with the first works beginning around 1638 or 1639. Its construction was driven by the need to protect the local port and the Leça River bar from the constant threats of pirates and corsairs that plagued the coast. Over the years, it faced delays in its completion, with works being resumed and boosted after the Restoration of Portuguese Independence, given its crucial strategic importance in maritime defense. It is believed that the fort as we know it today was completed around 1720, replacing an earlier fortification located further inland.

Characteristic Military Design

This example of 17th-century military architecture features a bastioned design, with a distinctive four-pointed star polygon shape. Its walls, built of granite masonry, are sloped and crowned by pentagonal sentry boxes with domes at the vertices, giving it an unmistakable silhouette. In the past, it was protected by a moat surrounding the structure, except on the seaward side. The main entrance, facing northeast, stands out for its perfect arch and the presence of an old drawbridge, no longer in operational use today.

From the 17th Century to the Present Day

Throughout its existence, the Fort of Nossa Senhora das Neves witnessed various historical moments, including the Liberal Wars, a period during which it received significant structural improvements, such as in its warehouses and parapets, and kept its gun emplacements ready for defense. After losing its strictly military function in the 19th century, its facilities were adapted. Currently, the fort houses the services of the Leixões Port Authority. In recognition of its heritage and historical value, the Fort of Nossa Senhora das Neves has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1961, remaining in good condition.

Maritime Devotion

Also known by names such as "Leça da Palmeira Fort" or "Matosinhos Castle," its official name, Forte de Nossa Senhora das Neves (Fort of Our Lady of the Snows), has a symbolic connection to the region's maritime history. Although there are no explicit written records about the origin of its naming, popular tradition attributes the name to a carrack called "Senhora das Neves." It was common at the time to name fortresses after saints, a practice intended to invoke protection and reinforce a sense of security for defenders and the local population.

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