Castelo da Póvoa

Nossa Senhora da Conceição Fortress.

The gate of the fortress.

Castelo da Póvoa (Castle of Póvoa), offically Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, is a Portuguese fortress in Póvoa de Varzim rebuilt during the reigns of Peter II and John V (between 1701 and 1740) to defend the town from privateers, in the site of an earlier fort known as "Forte de Torrão". It is considered a listed property of Public Interest in Portugal.

History

The early fort

Pinho Leal, in the book Portugal Antigo e Moderno (1876) stated that it is supposed that a small and ancient fort, called Forte de Torrão, was built in the 1400s, during the reign of John I of Portugal.^[1] In the end of the 16th century, the shipbuilding industry started developing in the area of Ribeira, located around Forte de Torrão fort.^[2]

The fortification was financed by the town hall, and had as main goal to protect the growing fisher community from privateers. This early fort, that still existed in 1685, was garnished by a lieutenant, a condestável and two artillerymen, nominated by the town hall.^[1]

The 18th century fortress

In the end of the 17th century, with the urge for a better defense of the seaport, the alcaide (governor of the fort) João de Almeira Rêgo thought that the construction of a new fortress would be preferable.^[1]

Construction began in 1701, during the reign of Peter II of Portugal, with an architectural project by the sergeant major and engineer Sebastião de Souza.^[3] Works halted in 1703 due to lack of funding. Several year later, John V of Portugal, unaware of the situation, was informed that the seaport of Póvoa de Varzim had no security due to the stop of the construction works in the fortification for several years.^[4]

Works resumed in 1738 when Sir Diogo de Sousa, sun of Sir João de Sousa, Governor of Arms of Minho province, received orders from the king to complete the fortress. These order were dispatched due to the fact that the king considered that this coastal fortification was of great importance for the kingdom.^[4] As Sir Diogo de Sousa was the governor to complete the fortress in 1740, his family crest were placed over the gate on October 22nd of that year, precisely on the day of the monarch's anniversary.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Baptista de Lima, João (2008). Póvoa de Varzim - Monografia e Materiais para a sua história. Na Linha do horizonte - Biblioteca Poveira CMPV. 
2. ^ Amorim, Sandra Araújo (2004). Vencer o Mar, Ganhar a Terra. Na Linha do horizonte - Biblioteca Poveira CMPV. 
3. ^ As Procissões na Póvoa de Varzim (1900 – 1950). Volume 1 - Deolinda Carneiro, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto. 2006
4. ^ ^{a b} Archivo pittoresco Volume XI. Castro Irmão & C.ª. 1868. 

Coordinates: 41°22′41″N 8°45′51″W / 41.3780°N 8.7642°W / 41.3780; -8.7642