Fort of Santo António da Barra, 16th century coastal fortress in São João do Estoril, Portugal.
Forte de Santo António da Barra is a 16th century coastal fortress near Cascais featuring an irregular star-shaped design with two outer bulwarks. Inside are vaulted barracks and a central building that houses a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony.
Military engineer Giovanni Casale built this fortress in 1590 under Philip II of Spain to defend against English and Dutch naval attacks along the Tagus estuary. It became part of the strategic defense system protecting the region during an era of intense maritime conflict.
The fortress played a key role in Portugal's coastal defenses and remains a place where visitors can understand military architecture of the era. Its design reflects how people of the 16th century thought about protecting their waters from sea-based threats.
Access is available on weekends and public holidays, and staff on site can help guide you through the different areas. It is best to wear comfortable shoes as you will be exploring the exterior and interior spaces, which may have uneven surfaces.
The fortress served as summer residence for Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar from 1945 until 1968 and thus holds a place in this era of Portuguese history. It was within these walls that Salazar suffered a stroke, an event that altered both his life and Portugal's political direction.
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