Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.69373553325261, -9.418552423626736

The Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz de Cascais is located in a dominant position in the cove of the same name, on the right bank of the mouth of the Tagus River, in the village, parish and municipality of Cascais, district of Lisbon, in Portugal.

History

The Fort of Light

The current structure began in 1594, when the 15th-century tower was surrounded by three bulwarks, reopened under the invocation of Nossa Senhora da Luz.

The structure was severely damaged during the 1755 earthquake, when cracks opened in the outer walls, causing the upper part of the old tower to collapse, as well as all of its floors and ceilings. The Chapel of Santo António, patron saint of the Portuguese Army, was also lost at the time.

With the evolution of war means, the old fortification lost its defensive function, coming to be deactivated.

From the 20th century to our days

At the beginning of the 20th century, adaptation works imposed new floors and hid extensive sections of the old tower, plastered and whitewashed.

Currently, the Citadel of Cascais, including the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Luz and the Tower of Santo António de Cascais, including the entire fortified part between Ponta do Salmodo and Clube Naval de Cascais, is classified as a Property of Interest Public through Decree nº 129, of September 29, 1977.

The fortress has undergone restoration interventions since 1985. The citadel and the fort's facilities are used by the Portuguese Army. They also serve as the official summer residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic.

Characteristics

The main body of the structure, in shades of ocher so that, from the sea, it could be confused with the coastline, is made up of the 15th-century tower, founded on the rock.

Bastioned at the end of the 16th century, the tower underwent transformations, adjoined by another, lower body, rectangular in plan, with the entire set surrounded by walls. In the repair work that followed the 1755 earthquake, the windows on the north side were remodeled and, from the original vaults, only the bases of the arches with their corbels remain.