Description of the attraction
Fort do Guincho, which is also called Fort Velas (translated from Portuguese means "be on the alert, on the alert"), is located on the outskirts of Praia do Abano, which stretches along the southern coast of the Alcabidese region. Although in 1977 the fort was included in the list of objects of public importance, at present this structure is in a deplorable state.
Historians give different dates for the founding of the fort, but most likely this fortress was built around 1640. The fortress was part of a group of structures that formed a defensive line along the coast of Cascais. The construction of the fort took place under the leadership of the commandant of the Cascais fortress, Antonio Luis de Meneses, who also commanded the construction of another fort, San Teodosio.
Fort do Guincho was a strategic site and controlled the movement of ships along the river. In 1720, work was carried out, as a result of which the walls were strengthened, the barracks and bunkers were repaired, and the main gate was replaced. The work was commanded by Colonel Joao Xavier Teles. At that time, a garrison was stationed in the fort and a certain number of cannons were installed. In 1793, the fort was expanded, the walls were reinforced even more so that they would not be destroyed by the waves of the ocean, renovations were carried out in the kitchen and barracks. A wave-scattering wall was built and 4 guardhouses were installed, from which today only the foundation remains.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, the fort has been empty. In 1944 the fort was used as a refuge. In 1970, it was planned to place a division of the customs service in the fort, but the final decision was not made. The fort was vandalized several times and closed. Since 2003, the fort has been handed over to the local government of Cascais, which plans to remodel the fort and house a tourist center for visitors.
