Category: Military Architecture > Fort
District: Setúbal > Sines > Porto Covo
The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada stands on the Alentejo coast, in the locality of Porto Covo, municipality of Sines. Its position is privileged, dominating Pessegueiro Beach and located directly opposite Pessegueiro Island. Built on a sandstone rock formation, the fort integrates naturally into the coastal landscape, offering stunning views over the Atlantic.
The fort's history dates back to the late 16th century, with its construction beginning in 1588. Its main function was to protect this stretch of coastline from pirate and privateer incursions, making it a vital point in the coastal defense strategy. The ambitious original project also envisioned the creation of an artificial harbor that would connect the island to the mainland, although this part was never fully completed. After several interruptions and resumptions of work, the fort was finally declared finished in the late 17th century, under the reign of D. Pedro II.
Throughout the centuries, the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada witnessed various events. In 1755, the Great Lisbon Earthquake caused significant damage to its chapel and batteries. With the evolution of weaponry, the fort lost its original military function, being decommissioned around 1844. Subsequently, between 1877 and 1942, its facilities were used by the Fiscal Guard. In recognition of its historical and architectural value, the fort was classified as a National Monument in 1957, and since then has been subject to conservation interventions.
The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada features a polygonal plan, with two triangular bastions facing the land side and a polygonal battery oriented towards the sea. Its relatively low walls are thick and built of stone masonry, using the same sandstone from the cliff where it stands. The interior of the fort is organized in a "U" shape, with different terraced levels.
The main access to the fort, facing land, is through a gate that was formerly preceded by a wooden bridge over a moat. Inside, there are vaulted casemates, which served as shelters, and remnants of a circular guardhouse facing the ocean. At the northern end of the fortification, there is a small vaulted hermitage, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Queimada, which gives the fort its name.
The strategic location of the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada allowed it to cross-fire with the existing fortification on Pessegueiro Island, forming a joint defensive system. This visual and functional relationship with the island is one of the most striking aspects of the site. Upon visiting the fort, one can imagine the importance this point held in monitoring the coast and protecting maritime routes. The vastness of the Atlantic and the island's proximity create a unique atmosphere, evoking the maritime history and natural beauty of the Alentejo Litoral.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.82842614288995, -8.791042474853622
Coordinates DMS: 37°49'42.3"N 08°47'27.8"W
On-duty Pharmacy Porto Covo
