Fort São João Baptista (Vila do Conde)
Fort São João Baptista (Forte de São João Baptista in Portuguese), also known as Fort of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Forte da Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Portuguese), is located at the mouth of the river Ave, in the town of Vila do Conde, district of Porto, in Portugal.
It is currently in good condition and open for visitors.
History
Initially named Nossa Senhora da Assunção, it has long been known by the name São João Baptista.[2]
Construction of the fort commenced in the 1570s, by order of the Constable of Portugal and lord of Vila do Conde, the Duke of Guimarães Dom Duarte, and were directed by Filipe Terzi.[1] Its main role was to defend the rivermouth and the town from pirate attacks. The fort was completed on 28 January 1641 and its first commander was Manuel Gaio Carneiro.[1][2] The fort was renovated in 1796. After the Portuguese Civil War, the fort lost its military purpose and its garrison was removed.[1]
Almost abandoned in the 20th century, it was requalified from 1982 to 1998 as a hotel unit (with 8 rooms), with a project by the architects Paulo Lobo and Amadeo Mandolesi,[3] and resources from the Tourism Fund and the municipality.
It opened its doors as a hotel in 1999.[1] The concession's object was short-lived, however, as a few years later, it became an open-air nightclub, open only in the summer. The concession, renewed up to the limit, ended in May 2020.
In February 2020, the Chamber opened a new competition, which would be canceled, as the winning proposal (Eskada group) intended to continue with the disco.
In February 2021, a new contest was launched. The idea is that the Fort will once again become a hotel, restaurant and beverage establishment. The property must allow visits to the public, host events involving local associations/institutions and be open all year round. The public tender for the concession of the fort for a period of 15 years has a base price of 2.04 million euros.
It has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since October 6, 1967.
Features
The structure has a pentagon shape with pentagon bastions at the edges, in the Vauban style. The walls are made of sloped stone, topped by vertical parapets. In three of the five bastions, watchtowers have a quadrangular plan.
The bastions are named: Santo António, Santa Bárbara, São Francisco, São João and Nossa Senhora da Guia.[2]
Around the square of weapons, under the shelter of the walls, are distributed the service buildings: Command quarters, barracks, magazine and warehouse. There is a cistern in the center of the courtyard. At the edges of the courtyard are located the ramps that allowed the artillery to be brought up to the bastions.
Gallery
- Sentry box
- Far view
- Gate
- View from the city.
References
- ^ a b c d e Forte de São João Baptista at http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/
- ^ a b c Forte de São João Baptista at viladoconde.com
- ^ Forte de São João Baptista / Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Assunção at allaboutportugal.pt
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Branco
- Forte de Ponte de Alvito
- Fortress of Buarcos
- Santa Catarina
- Palheiros Fort
- Estremoz
- Juromenha
- Santo António da Piedade
- Fort of Mourão
- São Luís
- Fort of Arrifana
- Santa Catarina
- São João do Arade
- Nossa Senhora da Encarnação
- Nossa Senhora da Luz
- Nossa Senhora da Penha de França
- Cavaleiros de Santiago
- São Sebastião de Castro Marim
- Fort of Sagres
- Nossa Senhora da Guia
- São Roque
- São Vicente
- Santo António de Tavira
- São João da Barra
- Vera Cruz
- Burgau Fort
- Santo António de Belixe
- Nossa Senhora da Rocha
- São Francisco
- Nossa Senhora da Consolação
- São João Baptista das Berlengas
- São Miguel Arcanjo
- São Vicente
- Bom Sucesso
- Santo António da Barra
- São Lourenço do Bugio
- Nossa Senhora da Luz
- Fort of Guincho
- Nossa Senhora da Guia
- Santa Susana
- São João das Maias
- São Bruno
- Nossa Senhora de Porto Salvo
- São Pedro de Milreu
- Nossa Senhora dos Anjos
- Nossa Senhora das Mercês
- Fort of Sacavém
- São Jorge
- São Julião da Barra
- São Pedro do Estoril
- São Teodósio
- Santa Marta
- Santo Amaro
- Nossa Senhora da Natividade
- Santa Apolónia
- São Brás de Sanxete
- Fort of Cresmina
Lines of Torres Vedras | |
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Campo Entrincheirado |
Castelo
- Areosa Fort
- Fort of Cão
- Nossa Senhora da Ínsua
- Fort of Lagarteira
- Montedor Fort
- Monção
- Santiago da Barra
- São Francisco de Lovelhe
- Valença
- Fort of the Açougue (Terceira)
- Fort of the Cavalas (Terceira)
- Fort of the Church of São Mateus da Calheta (Terceira)
- Fort of Cinco Ribeiras (Terceira)
- Espírito Santo (Terceira)
- Fort of the Caninas (Terceira)
- Nossa Senhora da Guia (Faial)
- Fort of Greta (Terceira)
- Fort of Má Ferramenta (Terceira)
- Fort of the Maré (Terceira)
- Military Battery of Espalamaca (Faial)
- Fort of Negrito (Terceira)
- Dois Paus redoubt (Terceira)
- São João Baptista (Terceira)
- Reducto da Salga (Terceira)
- Três Paus redoubt (Terceira)
- Forte da Salga (Terceira)
- Santa Catarina das Mós (Terceira)
- Santa Cruz (Faial)
- Santo António (Terceira)
- Santo António do Monte Brasil (Terceira)
- São Brás (Santa Maria)
- São Fernando (Terceira)
- São Francisco (Terceira)
- São João (Terceira)
- São João Baptista (Santa Maria)
- São Mateus da Calheta (Terceira)
- São Sebastião (Terceira)
- Forte do Terreiro (Terceira)
- Zimbreiro Fort (Terceira)
- São João Baptista (Pico)
- Nossa Senhora do Amparo (Madeira)
- São José (Porto Santo)
- São Lourenço (Madeira)
- São Tiago (Madeira)