Fortress of Muxima, Portuguese colonial fortress in Muxima, Angola

The Fortress of Muxima is a stone-and-mortar fort begun in 1599 on the left bank of the Cuanza River, next to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Its walls enclose a small compound; a stone of arms records its rebuilding in 1655 under captain Francisco de Novais. It was restored around 2008 after lying in ruins.

A small military post was set up on the left bank of the Cuanza in 1581 under governor Paulo Dias de Novais. In 1599 governor João Furtado de Mendonça ordered a new fortification, though building began only in the early 1600s. The presidio moved to a new site in 1609, and the fortress was rebuilt in 1655 under captain Francisco de Novais, as recorded on its coat-of-arms stone.

The name Muxima means "heart" in Kimbundu, the language of the region. The fortress stands beside the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Muxima, and the two together form the historic core of the town on the left bank of the Cuanza. A stone of arms records its rebuilding in 1655 under captain Francisco de Novais.

Visits require coordination with local authorities, and access can be limited due to ongoing restoration work at the site. Check local conditions beforehand to understand current accessibility and plan your visit accordingly.

The stone of arms records that the fortress was rebuilt in 1655 under captain Francisco de Novais. During the Dutch invasion of Angola in 1641, the presidios along the Cuanza formed a line of Portuguese resistance, and in 1646 Muxima was attacked by Dutch forces, with the population taking refuge inside the fortress.