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Forte Real de São Filipe

Coordinates: 14°54′58″N 23°36′07″W / 14.9160°N 23.6019°W / 14.9160; -23.6019
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Forte Real de São Filipe
Cidade Velha, Santiago Island in Cape Verde
View over the old fort of São Filipe from Cidade Velha
Forte Real de São Filipe is located in Cape Verde
Forte Real de São Filipe
Forte Real de São Filipe
Coordinates14°54′58″N 23°36′07″W / 14.9160°N 23.6019°W / 14.9160; -23.6019
Height10
Site information
Controlled byPortuguese Empire (1593-1975)
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRenovated in 2000
Site history
Built1593
Built byPortuguese Empire
In use1593-1770
EventsCassard expedition (1712)
Part ofCidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
CriteriaCultural: (ii)(iii)(vi)
Reference1310
Inscription2009 (33rd Session)

Forte Real de São Filipe is a 16th century fortress in the city of Cidade Velha in the south of the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. It is located on a plateau above the town centre, 120 meters above sea level. The historic centre of Cidade Velha is an UNESCO World Heritage site since June 2009.[1] The fort was part of a system of defence for the city, which also included six smaller forts on the coast and a wall along the port.[2]

History

The fortress was built under Philip I of Portugal between 1587 and 1593, little after Sir Francis Drake's 1585 raid of Santiago. It completed the existing defence system, consisting of the older forts of São Lourenço, São Brás, Presidio, São Veríssimo, São João dos Cavaleiros and São António. Remains of these forts can still be seen. The Forte Real de São Filipe was built from stone imported from Portugal. It was designed by the military engineers João Nunes and Filippo Terzi. The fort has been restored in 1999-2001.[2]

Layout

The fortress consists of three bastions towards the interior of the island (east). Towards the north and south it is protected by a steep cliff. Access is from the west. Inside the fortress were military storage facilities, a brick cistern, the residence of the Governor, the garrison, the prison and the chapel of São Gonçalo.[2]

São Filipe fortress at Cidade Velha, Santiago island, Cape Verde
  • Front view of the fort
    Front view of the fort
  • Forte de São Filipe: Walls and cistern
    Forte de São Filipe: Walls and cistern
  • Fortress walls
    Fortress walls
  • Plaque in the lower part of the fort
    Plaque in the lower part of the fort
  • Royal Fortress on a Cape Verdean $5000 escudo note issued between 2000 and 2007
    Royal Fortress on a Cape Verdean $5000 escudo note issued between 2000 and 2007

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Cidade Velha, Centre historique de Ribeira Grande, Proposition d’inscription sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial, p. 24-28
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