Fort of São Francisco Xavier in Porto

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It is always nice to visit a castle, a palace or even a fort on a city trip.
When this special building also is located near the beach it must be
absolutely beautiful, especially on a day with good weather. Luckily
Portugal and especially Porto most of the time have great weather.

So on the end of May 2019, during the election weekend (26 May)
I visited the amazing city of Porto in Portugal and the Fort of São
Francisco Xavier. It also is called the Castelo do Queijo.

Although a visit to this Fort is not that much interesting, it has some
really nice sea views and a splendid royal history.



Fort Sao Francisco Xavier in Porto



Royal History

In 1643, King John IV of Portugal ordered the construction of a
new Fort, designed by the French military engineer Miguel de
L'Ecole. The works were finally finished somewhere between
1661 and 1662.

In 1751, a private chapel was constructed to assist military officers
serving at the Fort.

Between 1807-1811, during the French invasion by the armies of
Napoleon Bonaparte, the fort was not used in a defensive role.



Fort Porto


During the siege of Porto 1832-1833, the Miguelist forces
occupied the fort. By the end of the civil war the fort was destroyed
however it was rebuilt.

In 1943, during the second World War, anti aircraft batteries were
installed, fearing German attacks.

Between 1977 and 1978 the fort was held by northern commandos.

Nowadays this magnificent fort near the sea, is open for public.



Fort Porto



A visit

 My husband and I took the Hop On Hop Off bus tour in Porto, which
stopped near the beach. Then we have walked back to the heart of the
city of Porto. Meanwhile we visited the Fort. It costs 50 cent to enter
the building and the opening hours are from 1 pm till 5 pm and
closed on Monday. Own pictures taken in 2019



Fort Porto

Location: Porto, Portugal

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