Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo

Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo
Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo
Oeste region
Near Nazaré in Portugal
View of the fort from the south
Site information
TypeBastion fort
OwnerPortuguese Ministry of National Defence
Open to
the public
yes
ConditionGood
Location
Coordinates39°36′16″N 9°05′07″W / 39.60444°N 9.08528°W / 39.60444; -9.08528
Site history
Battles/warsFrench invasion of Portugal, 1807; Portuguese Civil War, 1833-34

The Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo (St. Michael the Archangel) is situated in Nazaré, Oeste region of Portugal. It was first constructed in 1577 but has undergone remodeling and expansion on several occasions since then. The fort is a popular tourist site, particularly because of its proximity to a surfing area famous for the height of its waves. It now functions as both a lighthouse and a museum, which is devoted in part to surfing.