Forte da Igreja, 16th century fort in São Mateus da Calheta, Terceira Island, Portugal.
Forte da Igreja is a 16th century fort on the coast of Sao Mateus da Calheta on Terceira Island. The structure has thick stone walls with strategic openings for cannons and follows a trapezoidal ground plan.
The fort was built in 1567 after attacks by French corsairs and designed by Tommaso Benedetto de Pesaro. It was part of a broader defensive system that included several forts along the coast.
This fort represents Portuguese military engineering and the defense strategies used during the Age of Discovery. It shows how important this coastal area was for protecting the island from raiders and invaders.
The fort sits between two other fortifications and can be explored on foot as it sits on open ground. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and wind conditions can be strong.
A cyclone in 1893 destroyed both the fort and the nearby church. While the church was rebuilt, the fort remained in ruins and offers visitors a view of the impact of this natural disaster.
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