Situated at the far end of the promontory of Sítio, the Fort was built in 1577 by the orders of King Sebastian to protect the beach from the attacks of Algerian, Moroccan and Norman pirates.
After the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy, King John V ordered the renewal and enlargement of the original fort, giving it the outline it still keeps.
It is a remarkable military monument of coastline defence with mannerist characteristics, with an irregular plan adapted to the base of the promontory where it stands on. Above the entrance door is a low-relief statue of St. Michael Archangel and the inscription “El-Rey Dom Joam o Quarto – 1644â€.
During the first French invasion (1807/1808), the fort was occupied by the soldiers of Napoleon I, that the population of Sítio and Pederneira helped to expel, thus becoming a symbol of popular resistance. Since 1903 a lighthouse to help navigation, reaching 15 miles, is installed here.
This is the best spot to see the Big waves, the Village Nazare and the North beach.
MacNamara has married here, up on the Fort...because he just loves the place!!
