Fortaleza de São José da Amura

The Fortaleza de São José da Amura is a colonial fortress with a square layout and pentagonal bastions built in Bissau. Thick stone walls feature strategically placed openings that historically housed multiple military gunboats for defensive purposes.

Portuguese forces built the initial fortress in 1696 to counter French expansion efforts. Manuel de Vinhais Sarmento completed the current structure in 1753, creating the fortress that still stands today.

The fortress houses the tombs of independence leader Amílcar Cabral and former presidents. It functions as a memorial space where visitors encounter reminders of Guinea-Bissau's most important political figures.

The fort sits directly on Bissau's waterfront and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. Visitors should allow time to walk the perimeter and explore the various walls and defensive structures at a leisurely pace.

The fortress displays distinctive features of Vauban military engineering through its symmetric bastion design. It was originally connected to a secondary coastal fort via a strategic palisade system, forming a coordinated defense network.

Location: Bissau

GPS coordinates: 11.86027,-15.57861

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:24