Tuído Fort

Category: Military Architecture > Fort

District: Viana do Castelo > Valença > Valença

Location

The Tuído Fort is located in the town of Valença, set in a rural and tranquil environment. It stands on a small hill, an elevation that is part of an alluvial terrace, dominating the surrounding landscape. This strategic position provides a unique natural setting, with pine forests and low-lying vegetation enveloping the structure, and offers views over the Minho River valley.

Its isolated placement, on a platform on the slope overlooking the river, invites a moment of quietude and landscape observation, revealing the site's importance in border defense.

A Legacy of the Restoration

This fort dates back to the 17th century, having been built around 1661, in the context of the Portuguese Restoration War. The Tuído Fort played a vital role in the military operations of the time, functioning as a crucial defense point for the Valença stronghold.

Considered one of the most significant forts built in the region during this period of conflict, its good state of preservation is notable, allowing visitors to imagine the military life and defensive strategy of that era.

Earth Architecture

The Tuído Fort distinguishes itself by its architectural particularity: it is a rare military construction in "earth architecture". Unlike conventional stone fortifications, its walls were built entirely of torrão, a mixture of earth, clay, pebbles, and loose stones, without resorting to traditional masonry.

With a quadrangular plan and bastions at the corners, the fort features curtains with steep taluses, forming a sharp escarpment. Its defense was complemented by a deep moat and a counterguard, in addition to a covered way that runs along the entire perimeter, typical elements of the bastioned fortifications of the era.

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