Forte de São José da Barra do Rio Negro, Portuguese fortress at the Rio Negro riverbank in Manaus, Brazil
The Forte de São José da Barra do Rio Negro was a quadrangular fortress on the left bank of the Rio Negro with thick walls and four artillery pieces mounted for defense. The structure dominated the landscape and served as a visible marker of control over the territory.
The fortress was founded in 1669 by Francisco da Mota Falcao to protect the northern region from Spanish invasions and establish the roots of present-day Manaus. Over time it lost military importance and was demolished in 1875, with its materials repurposed for the Government Palace.
The fortress served as the core of Portuguese settlement in the region, shaping how the early community developed around its walls. Its location on the river made it the center where military duties and daily commerce overlapped.
No physical remains of the fortress are visible today since it was completely demolished in the 19th century. The best way to understand its history at this location is to visit the nearby Government Palace, which was built using its salvaged stones.
Excavations at the Casas da Boothline site uncovered remnants of the fortress, prompting authorities to halt construction and preserve the findings. The discovery revealed that traces of this early military structure lie buried beneath modern Manaus.
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