It is located off the western coast of Portugal, on the largest island in the Berlengas archipelago, in the municipality of Peniche, in the West region and District of Leiria, Central Portugal
The fortification belonged to a set of defensive military structures designed to protect the municipality located on the coast.
King Manuel of Portugal ordered the construction of a fortress in Berlenga Grande in 1502, which was immediately rectified during the reign of D. Sebastião of Portugal.
The fort was built from the remains of a pre-existing monastery (the Mosteiro da Misericórdia da Berlenga) previously abandoned.
Hieronymite monks in the early 16th century decided that the Berlengas were well situated to help marine populations in need of shelter.
The isolation of the islands also provided ideal conditions for the monks to live in austerity through solitude or silence, assiduous prayer, and healthy penance.
In the mid-17th century, construction began under the administration of D. João IV of Portugal after João Rodrigues de Sá's visit to the island accompanied by a military engineer determined the plan to be followed in its construction (1651).
In 1666, Berlenga Fort contributed to stopping the attack of a Spanish fleet sent to kidnap Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy upon her arrival in Portugal when she was to marry D. Afonso VI of Portugal.
After this attack, the King ordered the repair of the fortress, increasing the firepower of its defenses, which was finally completed in 1678 under the command of General Marquês da Fronteira (from an inscription on a gate).
In 1821, João VI of Portugal ordered the renovation of the fort, which included the reconstruction of the chapel that had been burned down during the French assault.
The fort was also used during the Liberal Wars serving as an advanced base for troops loyal to Pedro IV of Portugal to attack the fortress of Peniche (then occupied by Miguelist forces).
In 1953 the fort was repaired and remodeled as part of an attempt to adapt the structure into an inn.
In 1981, the General Directorate of National Buildings and Monuments ordered the restoration of the structure, culminating in projects between 1986 and 1987 to consolidate the fortification and make it safe for visitors. The fortress is open to the public during the summer with guides booked through Casa Abrigo.
The fort is located in the waters off the southeast coast of Berlenga Grande on a small islet connected to the island by an arched bridge and anchorage to the north.
The structure is irregular octagonal and longer from north to south with an equally irregular rectangular structure on this base covered by paved terraces with a slight slope.
The two-story walls serve as a defense and narrow enclosed corridors encircle its perimeter, interrupted by several arched windows on the north and west facades.
The south and east facades are interrupted by an irregular curtain of embrasures and the structures on the outer wall functioned as casemates while the central body functioned as an arsenal.
King Manuel of Portugal ordered the construction of a fortress in Berlenga Grande in 1502, which was immediately rectified during the reign of D. Sebastião of Portugal.
The fort was built from the remains of a pre-existing monastery (the Mosteiro da Misericórdia da Berlenga) previously abandoned.
Hieronymite monks in the early 16th century decided that the Berlengas were well situated to help marine populations in need of shelter.
The isolation of the islands also provided ideal conditions for the monks to live in austerity through solitude or silence, assiduous prayer, and healthy penance.
In the mid-17th century, construction began under the administration of D. João IV of Portugal after João Rodrigues de Sá's visit to the island accompanied by a military engineer determined the plan to be followed in its construction (1651).
In 1666, Berlenga Fort contributed to stopping the attack of a Spanish fleet sent to kidnap Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy upon her arrival in Portugal when she was to marry D. Afonso VI of Portugal.
After this attack, the King ordered the repair of the fortress, increasing the firepower of its defenses, which was finally completed in 1678 under the command of General Marquês da Fronteira (from an inscription on a gate).
In 1821, João VI of Portugal ordered the renovation of the fort, which included the reconstruction of the chapel that had been burned down during the French assault.
The fort was also used during the Liberal Wars serving as an advanced base for troops loyal to Pedro IV of Portugal to attack the fortress of Peniche (then occupied by Miguelist forces).
In 1953 the fort was repaired and remodeled as part of an attempt to adapt the structure into an inn.
In 1981, the General Directorate of National Buildings and Monuments ordered the restoration of the structure, culminating in projects between 1986 and 1987 to consolidate the fortification and make it safe for visitors. The fortress is open to the public during the summer with guides booked through Casa Abrigo.
The fort is located in the waters off the southeast coast of Berlenga Grande on a small islet connected to the island by an arched bridge and anchorage to the north.
The structure is irregular octagonal and longer from north to south with an equally irregular rectangular structure on this base covered by paved terraces with a slight slope.
The two-story walls serve as a defense and narrow enclosed corridors encircle its perimeter, interrupted by several arched windows on the north and west facades.
The south and east facades are interrupted by an irregular curtain of embrasures and the structures on the outer wall functioned as casemates while the central body functioned as an arsenal.
