Fort of São Tiago

The Fort of São Tiago (Portuguese: Fortaleza de São Tiago) is located in the historical centre (Zona Velha) of Funchal, Madeira.

Fortaleza de São Tiago
Portuguese: Fortaleza de São Tiago
Santa Maria Maior (Funchal), Madeira
Fortaleza de São Tiago
Coordinates32°38′48.0″N 16°53′54.9″W
Site information
Controlled by Portuguese Empire (1512-1961)
Open to
the public
Yes
Site history
Built1614
MaterialsBrick and Stone fort
Fort of São Tiago, Funchal.
Fort of São Tiago: Door of arms.

History

Originally built to protect the coast from piracy during the 16th-17th century during the reign of Philip I of Portugal. The Fort has been used for many purposes including housing British troops during the Peninsular War, the military police and the Funchal Lancers Squad at different times. It also sheltered victims of the 1803 floods that occurred on the island.[1]

On June 24 1901 King Carlos I of Portugal and his wife (Amélie of Orléans) visited the Fort and had lunch in a tent set up within the fort. Improvements were made prior to his visit.[2][3]

From 1992 to 2014 it was the contemporary Art Museum of Funchal (now Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira in Estreito da Calheta).

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.