Fortress of Saint James

The Fortress of Saint James — Forte de Santiago — is the seventeenth-century citadel that anchors the eastern end of Sesimbra's seafront promenade. Built in the 1660s during the Portuguese war of restoration against Spain, it is a low pentagonal stone bastion with corner watchtowers and a deep dry moat on the landward side, designed for the artillery doctrine of the day rather than for medieval siege defence.

Restored in the 2010s, it now houses a free interpretive exhibition about the town's history — the fishing fleet, the Moorish castle, the royal visits of the eighteenth century. The rooftop bastion gives an excellent view of the bay and is the best place in town to watch the harbour activity. Allow about thirty minutes.

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A story
The fort was begun in 1648 — during the Portuguese war of restoration against Spain — and finished around 1670. Its purpose was simple: stop Spanish or Algerian raiders landing on the long Sesimbra beach. The cannon were never fired in anger. The Portuguese royal family used it as a summer residence in the eighteenth century; King João VI was a regular visitor.