Fort of Óbidos, Fort of Pauxis, Portuguese colonial fortress in Óbidos, Brazil.
The Fort of Óbidos stands on a high riverbank of the Amazon and displays stone walls with colonial military architecture. Its structure shows typical defensive features with reinforced positions and bastions.
It was built in 1697 as Fort Pauxis and served as a Portuguese defensive position protecting the Amazon region from foreign invasions. This fortress marked a strategic turning point in controlling this valuable river route.
Local indigenous groups participated in the construction, blending their traditional building methods with Portuguese military design. This collaboration shaped the fortress in ways you can still observe in how it was built.
The site is located at coordinates -1.917983, -55.516867 and is accessible for exploring the ruins and surrounding area. Wear sturdy shoes and watch for slippery surfaces during or after rain.
This fortress controlled the narrowest section of the Amazon River, where ships had to pay taxes and undergo inspection during the colonial period. This made it a valuable trade control point for the Portuguese crown.
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