São Brâs Fort, Santa Maria Island

Explore the São Brás Fort in Vila do Porto, Santa María Island, Azores, Portugal

São Brâs Fort, Santa Maria Island
© Câmara Municipal Vila do Porto

The São Bras Fort raises over the top of Da Rocha, located next to the Conceição da Rocha Chapel (16th century), in the city of Vila do Porto, Santa María Island, Azores, Portugal.

The fort is still has nine cannons, showing on its yard a discovery memorial. This bastion slowed down the entrance of the Argeline pirates, as well as the privateers’ who repeatedly attacked the island during the Modern Age.

The island was repeatedly attacked by privateers (French ones in 1576, English in 1589, and Moors in 161 and 1675), who arrived looking for supplies and destroyed solars, convents, churches and shrines. They used to capture prisoners and slaves to afterwards sell them. The attacks were so frequent that they created in Santa María a public office, the “Memposteiro dos Cativos”, to negotiate the rescue of hostages.

According to the 16th century chronicler Gaspar Frutuoso, this fort dates from the 17th century, and it was the major captain of Santa Marí João Falcão de Sousa who commanded its construction.

The fort was rebuilt in 1966, and it is nowadays classified as a Listed Building since 1992.

More information:

Location:

Vila do Porto, Santa María Island, Azores.

Mapa Interactivo:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal

São Brâs Fort, Santa Maria Island

Explore the São Brás Fort in Vila do Porto, Santa María Island, Azores, Portugal

Santa Maria Island

What to see:

Azores:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

In collaboration with: