List of forts of the Lines of Torres Vedras
The Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts and other military defences built in secrecy to defend Lisbon, capital of Portugal, from the French during the Peninsular War. Named after the town of Torres Vedras, their construction was ordered by the commander of the British troops, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The Lines were declared a National Heritage by the Portuguese Government in March 2019.[1]
In total, 152 military works were carried out from October 1809 to 1812 by Portuguese workers supervised by British engineers. Most involved completely new constructions, although some existing structures, such as the castle at Torres Vedras, were adapted and it was also common to incorporate existing hilltop windmills in the designs. Some of the forts remain visible and 29 are maintained by the municipalities of Torres Vedras, Arruda dos Vinhos, Loures, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agraço, and Vila Franca de Xira.[2] Much restoration work has been carried out to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lines.
The individual forts include:
- Fort of Aguieira
- Forts of Ajuda
- Fort of Alqueidão
- Fort of Archeira
- Fort of Arpim
- Fort of Carvalha
- Fort of Casa
- Fort of Cego
- Fort of Feira
- Fort of Feiteira
- Fort of Machado
- Fort of Mosqueiro
- Forte Novo (New fort)
- Fort of Olheiros
- Fort of Portela Grande
- Fort of Portela Pequena
- Fort of Ribas (Fort of Freixial)
- Fort of São Vicente
- Fort of Simplicio
- Fort of Subserra
- Fort of Zambujal
- Torres Vedras Castle
References[]
- ^ "Governo classifica Linhas de Torres Vedras como monumento nacional". Observador. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ "Forts restored and maintained by the Municipalities". Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
External links[]
- Media related to Lines of Torres Vedras at Wikimedia Commons
- Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras
- British Historical Society of Portugal, which organizes regular guided visits to the forts.
- Photographs and map of fort locations
- Forts in Portugal
- Lines of Torres Vedras