Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 39.60502040076906, -9.084790784655828

Looking at the fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo is like turning a page in an immense book of memories and stories that are part of our imagination, of our past.

The construction of this Mannerist-style monument began in the reign of D. Sebastião, in 1577, with the aim of defending the cove from attacks by Algerian, Moroccan, Dutch and Norman pirates who invested on the Atlantic coast.

In 1644, and due to its location, King D. João IV, the Restorer, ordered its remodeling and expansion. St Michael the Archangel, patron saint of many sanctuaries, generally built on high places, was the vigilant sentry of the fortress. On the facade of the fort, over the entrance portal, D. João IV, had a limestone image of São Miguel Archangel placed, with the caption “ELREY DOM JUAN-1644”, the date that marks the year of its construction.

The Fort survived the French Invasions, where enemy soldiers who fought against the population of Sítio and Pederneira took refuge. The invaders were only expelled from our country in 1811, making this monument a landmark of the popular revolt and autonomy of the Nazarenes.

The fortress was part of the history of the Liberal Struggles. Around this time, Nazaré and the Fort were the scene of small skirmishes between supporters of D. Pedro IV and D. Miguel.

In 1830, D. Miguel, as king, visited Sítio and Praia da Nazaré, where he was received in a festive atmosphere, visiting the Fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo, which the following year would see some repairs, a new altar for the its patron saint and a new access road.

After D. Miguel's departure into exile on July 1, 1834, as a reflection of the struggles between liberals and absolutists, the stone image of S. Miguel, which appeared over the door, suffered a serious attack.

The sculpture was the target of acts of vandalism, by the liberals, who removed it from its altarpiece, and threw it along the walls onto the beach sand. It is still mutilated today and is a testament to the riots between absolutists and liberals in this region.

At the beginning of the 20th century, with no military function left, the fishermen made the government feel the need to install a lighthouse there and a house for the lighthouse keeper, to support the fishing activity.

On October 29, 1903, consolidation and restoration works were carried out for the installation of the lighthouse in the Fort. Finally, on the 1st of December 1903, a port light installed in the Fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo began to function.

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 39.60502040076906, -9.084790784655828

Looking at the fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo is like turning a page in an immense book of memories and stories that are part of our imagination, of our past.

The construction of this Mannerist-style monument began in the reign of D. Sebastião, in 1577, with the aim of defending the cove from attacks by Algerian, Moroccan, Dutch and Norman pirates who invested on the Atlantic coast.

In 1644, and due to its location, King D. João IV, the Restorer, ordered its remodeling and expansion. St Michael the Archangel, patron saint of many sanctuaries, generally built on high places, was the vigilant sentry of the fortress. On the facade of the fort, over the entrance portal, D. João IV, had a limestone image of São Miguel Archangel placed, with the caption “ELREY DOM JUAN-1644”, the date that marks the year of its construction.

The Fort survived the French Invasions, where enemy soldiers who fought against the population of Sítio and Pederneira took refuge. The invaders were only expelled from our country in 1811, making this monument a landmark of the popular revolt and autonomy of the Nazarenes.

The fortress was part of the history of the Liberal Struggles. Around this time, Nazaré and the Fort were the scene of small skirmishes between supporters of D. Pedro IV and D. Miguel.

In 1830, D. Miguel, as king, visited Sítio and Praia da Nazaré, where he was received in a festive atmosphere, visiting the Fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo, which the following year would see some repairs, a new altar for the its patron saint and a new access road.

After D. Miguel's departure into exile on July 1, 1834, as a reflection of the struggles between liberals and absolutists, the stone image of S. Miguel, which appeared over the door, suffered a serious attack.

The sculpture was the target of acts of vandalism, by the liberals, who removed it from its altarpiece, and threw it along the walls onto the beach sand. It is still mutilated today and is a testament to the riots between absolutists and liberals in this region.

At the beginning of the 20th century, with no military function left, the fishermen made the government feel the need to install a lighthouse there and a house for the lighthouse keeper, to support the fishing activity.

On October 29, 1903, consolidation and restoration works were carried out for the installation of the lighthouse in the Fort. Finally, on the 1st of December 1903, a port light installed in the Fort of S. Miguel Arcanjo began to function.