Forte de São Jerónimo, building in São Tomé and Príncipe
Forte de São Jerónimo is a stone fortification on the island of São Tomé, built by the Portuguese during their control of the island. It sits near the coast with thick stone walls designed to protect the port and harbor from attacks by pirates and rival powers.
The fort was built in 1566 by Portuguese forces to protect the island and maintain control over the territory. Over the following centuries, it underwent rebuilding and expansion, particularly in the 1700s, to better serve its defensive role.
The fort's name honors Saint Jerome, reflecting the Portuguese colonial tradition of naming places after saints. This practice shows how Catholic customs shaped the island's identity and remain visible in local traditions today.
The fort is located in Água Grande and can be easily found by following signs from the town center. The site is quiet and allows for a straightforward walk around the ruins with small lookout points offering views of the sea and surrounding landscape.
The fort housed not only defensive structures but also a church, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Mar, built in 1774. This blend of military and religious spaces shows how faith was woven into daily life during the colonial era on the island.
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