List of forts of the Lines of Torres Vedras

Fort of Alqueidão

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 was carried out to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lines.

Forts

    Indicates restored and maintained fort
Number Name District Men Guns Ref.
1A Battery of Tejo Alhandra 1,000 4 [3]
1B Entrenchments 2
1C Battery of Estrada 1
1D Battery of Estrada 2
1E Battery of Estrada Real 7
1F Battery of Subida 2
2 Battery of Conde 800 2
3 Redoubt of Boa Vista 200 2
4 Battery of São Fernando Un­known 2
5 Redoubt Serra do Formoso 120 3
5A Battery of Antas 2
5B Battery 1a of Alfarge 2
5C Battery 2a of Alfarge 3
5D Battery 1a of Bulhaco 2
5E Battery 2a of Bulhaco 2
5F Battery 1a of Serra do Pinheiro 2
5G Battery 2a of Serra do Pinheiro 1
6 Battery of Meldros Un­known 2
7 Fort of Calhandriz 200 3
8 Fort of Trancoso 200 3
9 Fort of Casal do Cego 280 3
10 Fort of Carvalha 400 3
11 Fort of Moinho do Céu 300 4
12 Fort of Passo Sobral 120 3
13 Fort of Caneira 120 2
14 Fort of Alqueidão 1,590 25
15 Fort of Machado 460 7
16 Fort of Trinta 250 4
17 Fort of Simplício 300 8
18 Fort of Ajuda Grande Bucelas 300 4
19 Fort of Ajuda Pequeno 200 3
20 Fort of São Vicente Torres Vedras 470 8
21 Fort of São Vicente 270 7/9
22 Fort of São Vicente 380 9
23 Redoubt of Olheiros 180 7
24 Redoubt of Forca 300 7
25 Fort of São João 200 2
26 Fort of Ordasqueira 300 3
27 Castle of Torres Vedras 500 5
28 Fort Pequeno da Enxara Portela 270 3
29 Fort Grande da Enxara 280 4 [4]
30 Redoubt of Grilo Torres Vedras 340 4
31 Redoubt of Alquiteria 370 3
32 Fort of Formigal 260 4
33 Fort of Salgado Bucelas 300 4
34 Fort of Curral 200 3
35 Redoubt of Quintela Pequeno 120 4
36 Redoubt of Quintela Grande 370 9
37 Fort of Abrunheira 50 3
38 Fort of Casa 340 5
39 Fort of Quintela Reentrante 340 8
40 Fort of Aguieira 150 Un­known
41 Redoubt of Portela Grande 240 5
42 Fort of Portela Pequeno 350 6
43 Battery of Vizo Un­known 4
44 Battery of Cachada 2
45 Battery of Penedos 3
46 Battery of Oliveiras 2
47 Battery of Galvões 3
48 Fort of Tojal 200 2
49 Fort of Picoto Montachique Un­known 2
50 Redoubt of Quadradinho 160 2
51 Fort of Freixial 300 4
52 Fort of Capitão 190 3
53 Fort of Presinheira 230 2
54 Fort of Moinho 210 0
55 Fort of Vale 150 3
56 Fort of Permouro Mafra 150 2
57 Fort of Mosqueiro Montachique 270 3
58 Fort of Carrascal 310 3
59 Fort of Moinho da Carambela 260 4
60 Redoubt of Achada 1 150 2
61 Redoubt of Achada 2 190 2
62 Fort of Alto do Cheira 390 3
63 Fort of Casal da Serra 280 3
64 Fort of Canto do Muro da Tapada 210 3
65 Fort of Santa Maria 270 3
66 Fort of Feira 350 4
67 Fort of Cabeço Gordo 120 2
68 Fort of Matoutinho 260 4
69 Fort of Quinta do Fidalgo 240 4
70 Fort of Quinta do Estrangeiro 240 6
71 Fort of Portela 240 4
72 Fort of Estrada 130 2
73 Fort of Coutada 340 3
74 Fort of Casal da Pedra Mafra 190 2
75 Fort of Milhariça 70 2
76 Fort of Sonível 390 4
77 Fort of Juncal 380 4
78 Fort of Telhadouro 110 3
79 Fort of Gio 270 3 [5]
80 Fort of Quinta da Boa Viagem 310 3
81 Fort of Serra de Chipre 280 3
82 Fort of Patarata 210 4
83 Fort of Meio 240 3
84 Fort of Curral do Linho 290 3
85 Fort of Areeiro 290 3
86 Fort of Nossa Senhora da Paz 280 3
87 Fort of Pinheiro 340 3
88 Fort of Cabeço do Neto 200 3
89 Fort of Moxarro 310 3
90 Fort of Penegache 230 3
91 Fort of Algoa 200 3
92 Fort of Picoto 180 3
93 Fort of Marvão 330 3
94 Fort of Ribamar 320 2
95 Fort of Zambujal 250 2
96 Fort of Carvoeira 280 3
97 Fort of São Julião 350 2
98 Fort of Algueirão São Julião 1,340 26
99 Battery of Arieiro 70 6
100 Battery of Estrada 50 5
101 Redoubt no.1 of Medrosa 250 10
102 Redoubt no.2 of Medrosa 260 8
103 Redoubt no.1 of Antas 130 3
104 Redoubt no.2 of Antas 100 2
105 Redoubt no.3 of Antas 170 2/4
106 Redoubt of Lomba 320 6
107 Redoubt of Quinta Nova 800 6
108 Redoubt of Junqueiro 360 6
109 Redoubt of Figueirinha 500 8
110 Fortified line 103–coast 1,000 3
111 Fort of Passo Torres Vedras 250 5
112 Fort of Gentias 220 4
113 Battery of Foz 50 2
114 Fort no.1 of Subserra Alhandra 100 2/3
114A Battery Nova de Subserra 2
115 Fort no.2 of Subserra 100 2
116 Fort no.3 of Subserra 100 5
116A Battery annex for Fort no.3 of Subserra Un­known
116B Battery do Casal da Entrega 4
117 Redoubt Novo da Costa da Freiria 150 Un­known
118 Fort of Sinais 400 8
119 Redoubt of Dois Moinhos 350 6
119A No proof built, but 119B exists Does not appear
119B Fort of Subida da Serra Alhandra 2
120 Fort Novo do Formoso 130 2
121 Fort no.1 of Calhandriz 250 4
122 Fort no.2 of Calhandriz 300 3
123 Fort no.3 of Calhandriz 300 4
124 Fort no.4 of Calhandriz Montachique 350 4
124A Battery of Calhandriz 2
125 Fort of Serra de Arpim 250 4
126 Fort Novo do Cabo Bucelas 188 2
127 Fort of Moinho 154 Un­known
128 Fort of Archeira Portela 500 6
129 Fort of Feiteira 350 6
130 Fort of Catefica 200 5
131 Battery of Cruz Torres Vedras 90 4
132 Battery of Palheiros 150 6
133 Battery of Pedrulhos 120 4
134 Battery of Outeiro da Prata 110 4
135 Battery of Carrasqueira 160 4
136 Battery of Milharosa 150 4
137 Battery of Outeiro da França 100 4
138 Battery of Pombal 100 2
139 Battery of Bordinheira 160 4
140 Battery of Outeiro do Monte 120 4
141 Battery of Mogo 180 4
142 Battery of Bonabal 150 4
143 Fort of Galpeira 150 4
144 Battery of Mouguelas 130 4
145 Fort of Belmonte 250 4
146 Fort of Bececarias 250 6
147 Battery of Ponte do Rol I 0 Un­known
148 Battery of Ponte do Rol II 0
149 Fort Novo da Ordasqueira 250 6
150 Battery of Ribaldeira Portela 250 6
151 Redoubt of Patameira 300 Un­known
152 Fort Novo Sobral 250 6
Fort of Olheiros
Fort of Zambujal
Fort of São Vicente

Citations

  1. ^ "Governo classifica Linhas de Torres Vedras como monumento nacional". Observador. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Forts restored and maintained by the Municipalities". Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  3. ^ Thompson (2021), p. 198.
  4. ^ Thompson (2021), p. 199.
  5. ^ Thompson (2021), p. 200.

References

  • Thompson, Mark S. (2021). Wellington and the Lines of Torres Vedras. Warwick: Helion. ISBN 978-1-914059-85-8.