Portuguese forts

Portuguese discoverers have discovered many lands and the seaway from Europe to India in the 15th to the 18th centuries. Along the way they built outposts and fortresses, many of which still exist today all over the world. Similar in design they are often easy to recognize although not in Portuguese hands for many years or centuries already.

List of Forts in Portugal

Name Location, Link Built Today Image
Forte do Guincho Guincho, Cascais  ?? still existing
Forte Sao Jorge de Oitavos Near Cascais 1642 A museum about the Fort itself Link (in Portuguese)
Cidadela de Cascais Cascais 1410/1594 Initially Torre de Santo Antonio de Cascais in 1410, then Fortaleza da Luz da nossa senhora de Cascais in 1594, then Cidadela de Cascais (ca 1580). Open to the public, used for events.

List of Portuguese Forts in Asia

Name Image Other names Built in Locality District Type Purpose Razed Razed by Current status Current owner Coordinates Ref
Bombay Castle
  • Casa da Orta
  • Manor House
  • Governor House
  • INS Angre
 1554 Fort area Mumbai City Land battery Administration – – Preserved Indian Navy [1]
Castella de Aguada Bandra Fort 1640 Bandra Mumbai Suburban Land battery Watchtower, freshwater source – – Under renovation ASI
Dongri Fort Unavailable Dungarey Forta 1596 Dongri Mumbai City Hill fort Defensive 1769 British Demolished N/A [2]
Madh Fort Versorva Fort 17th century Madh Island Mumbai Suburban Land battery Watchtower, prison – – Stable ASI [3]

See also