Overview:

is a Portuguese fort located in Benguela, on the western coast of Angola. It was construct in 1587 and served as a Portuguese settlement and trading post until the 19th century. It now serves as a popular tourist attraction that boasts beautiful views of the Benguela coastline and provides an insight into the region's long colonial history. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

, the Forte de São Pedro da Barra is an important national monument and the oldest Portuguese fort in Africa. Built in 1587, it stands along the Benguela coastline as a reminder of the city's colonial past. The walled fort features a central courtyard, some warehouses, gun bunkers, an elevated platform and a chapel. It also has cannons, tiles, whitewashed walls, and terracotta roof tiles. Currently, the fortification is used for cultural and traditional exhibitions, as well as for historical tours. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The Forte de São Pedro da Barra is a historical Portuguese military fort located in the south west of the city of Benguela, Angola. Construction of the fort began in the 18th century by the Portuguese, with an aim of monitoring the coast and fighting against piracy. The fort fell in British hands in the Napoleonic Wars and was returned to the Portuguese in 1815. During the Portuguese Colonial War, the fort was used as a military base for the Portuguese forces. Following the Angolan independence in 1975, the fort lost its strategic importance and was abandoned. In 1997, the monument was declared a historical heritage of the city of Benguela. The fort is currently used as a cultural indicator with regular musical, dance and theatre events. Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Forte de São Pedro da Barra is believed to be the oldest fort in Angola, built by the Portuguese around 1617. 2. It was originally built as a protection against the local tribes needing to protect themselves from invaders. 3. It is located in the Municipality of Benguela and was declared a National Monument in 1927. 4. In August 1993, the fort was listed by UNESCO as part of the “Angola-Brazil Slave Route” – a series of monuments in Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Portugal relevant to what is known as the Exchange Brazilian Slavery between them during the 16th – 19th centuries. 5. The fort also served as a jail for the political prisoners from the colonial era in Angola. 6. In 1966, the fort was further restored and re-used as a museum for the city of Benguela. 7. In 1978, the fort was declared a National Historic Landmark. 8. The fort was also used as a military post and redoubt during the Portuguese’s war of independence. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era