Fort of the Holy Cross, Maragojipe, Bahia, Brasil
The Fort of the Holy Cross is a small stone fortress at the mouth of the Paraguaçu River in Maragogipe with an irregular polygon shape designed for river defense. The thick walls once held cannons pointed at the water, and guard towers at the corners allowed soldiers to spot approaching vessels from a distance.
The fort was likely built in the 1600s by the Portuguese as part of efforts to defend the region from foreign invasions and rival powers. It saw action defending against Dutch attacks and later conflicts with Spain over territorial control along the coast.
The fort sits at the river's mouth where it served as a checkpoint for controlling inland movement and commerce during colonial times. Its location reflects how Portuguese military strategies focused on protecting vital water routes and trade access to the region.
The site is accessible to visitors and protected as part of Brazil's cultural heritage. Walk around the perimeter to get different views of the remaining walls, guard towers, and old cannons scattered across the grounds.
One large old cannon still points toward the river where it once repelled approaching ships. The fort's irregular shape resulted from quick construction during turbulent times, reflecting its focus on function over form rather than planned symmetry.
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