Fortaleza de Santo António de Tavira, Military fortress in Tavira, Portugal
Forte do Rato is a military fortress in Tavira with a polygonal shape and bastions positioned at its corners. Inside, it contains barracks, a powder magazine, and a water well that once supplied the garrison.
King Sebastian ordered the construction of this fortress in the second half of the 16th century to protect Tavira's harbor. It was part of Portugal's coastal defense network against piracy and seaborne attacks.
The fortress stands as a representation of Portuguese military architecture and maritime defense systems from the Early Modern period.
The fortress sits at the mouth of the Gilão River and is visible from nearby areas. Visitors can view the outer walls and get a sense of the overall layout from the ground level.
Changes to the coastline during construction reduced the fortress's effectiveness as the entrance channel shifted. The natural changes to the river mouth made the original defensive position less valuable than anticipated.
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