Fortaleza de São Vicente
Fortaleza de São Vicente, Military fortress at Cape St. Vincent, Sagres, Portugal.
Fortaleza de São Vicente is a fortress on Cape Sagres with a polygonal layout and thick walls designed to defend against attacks from the sea. Inside are barrel-vaulted rooms, terraces, and a lighthouse that once sent signals across the ocean.
The original fortress was destroyed by British privateer Francis Drake in 1587 and later rebuilt under King Philip III of Spain. The 1606 reconstruction created the structure visible to visitors today.
The site served as a place of worship where visitors came to honor Saint Vincent for centuries. The convent buildings still shape how the fortress looks today and recall its spiritual past.
The location is exposed on a rocky headland and can be windy with rough conditions, so sturdy clothing and solid footwear are recommended. Access to different areas is possible but requires care on uneven stone surfaces and steep stairs.
Excavations have revealed that people inhabited the area since prehistoric times, with findings from the Stone Age and Neolithic period. These discoveries show the site is far older than the visible fortress.
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