Points of Interest : Cultural Interest
Catefica fort
Catefica fort
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Belonging to the defensive system of the Lines of Torres (Lines of Defense to the North of Lisbon during the Peninsular War), and integrated in the 1st Line of defense, located north of the Feiteira and Archeira forts, the Catefica fort, also known as Catefica stronghold or the Mill of Catefica stronghold, is a structure of small dimension, constituted by 15 embrasures and having in its interior a mill, probably would have been used like loft. At 224 m altitude, it is to the left of the Archeira hills, and was designed for a garrison of 200 soldiers and 5 pieces of 9-caliber artillery.
Next to the fort, there are vestiges of the section of a military road, in good condition.
The Lisbon Lines of Defense, commonly known as Torres Lines, were built by order of the British general Wellesley, extending for about 80 km in a total of 152 fortifications works (the Catefica fort is the military work nº. 130), between Torres Vedras and the Tagus river, that ensured the defense of the Atlantic coast and the river estuary, being considered the most efficient system of field fortifications in the military architecture history. From 1809 to 1812, terrain surveys were carried out and were built forts, steep escarpments, abatises and palisades (using maritime pines) to halt the advance of the French Napoleonic troops. Roads and bridges were also destroyed to difficult the progression of the French army led by General Massena.
Catefica (it stays here) legend – when a queen was passing by she dropped her handkerchief. The king ordered his men to pick up the handkerchief, but the queen said, "it stays here".
Abatises - obstacle formed by cut or felled trees tied up with sharpened branches facing the enemy.
Ditch – long excavation dug around a fort or castle built to slow down enemy troops. The walls of a ditch are called scarp (the one closest to the fort) and counterscarp (or outer ditch wall).
Escarpments – steep slope (scarp) built in front of a fortification.
Palisade - long strong stake pointed at the top and close with others built as a defense.
Spot – opening where the artillery pieces were placed.
Traverses – protection from enemy fire made with large amounts of soil.
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Belonging to the defensive system of the Lines of Torres (Lines of Defense to the North of Lisbon during the Peninsular War), and integrated in the 1st Line of defense, located north of the Feiteira and Archeira forts, the Catefica fort, also known as Catefica stronghold or the Mill of Catefica stronghold, is a structure of small dimension, constituted by 15 embrasures and having in its interior a mill, probably would have been used like loft. At 224 m altitude, it is to the left of the Archeira hills, and was designed for a garrison of 200 soldiers and 5 pieces of 9-caliber artillery.
Next to the fort, there are vestiges of the section of a military road, in good condition.
The Lisbon Lines of Defense, commonly known as Torres Lines, were built by order of the British general Wellesley, extending for about 80 km in a total of 152 fortifications works (the Catefica fort is the military work nº. 130), between Torres Vedras and the Tagus river, that ensured the defense of the Atlantic coast and the river estuary, being considered the most efficient system of field fortifications in the military architecture history. From 1809 to 1812, terrain surveys were carried out and were built forts, steep escarpments, abatises and palisades (using maritime pines) to halt the advance of the French Napoleonic troops. Roads and bridges were also destroyed to difficult the progression of the French army led by General Massena.
Catefica (it stays here) legend – when a queen was passing by she dropped her handkerchief. The king ordered his men to pick up the handkerchief, but the queen said, "it stays here".
Abatises - obstacle formed by cut or felled trees tied up with sharpened branches facing the enemy.
Ditch – long excavation dug around a fort or castle built to slow down enemy troops. The walls of a ditch are called scarp (the one closest to the fort) and counterscarp (or outer ditch wall).
Escarpments – steep slope (scarp) built in front of a fortification.
Palisade - long strong stake pointed at the top and close with others built as a defense.
Spot – opening where the artillery pieces were placed.
Traverses – protection from enemy fire made with large amounts of soil.
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Lisboa e Vale do Tejo
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Torres Vedras
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Serras do Socorro e Archeira Local Protected Landscape
Identification and Access
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Yes
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Access coming from:
- Torres Vedras (5.3 km) - N8 by Venda do Pinheiro and Turcifal to Catefica and then follow the signs “Forte da Feiteira”*;
- Lisboa - A8 direction Leiria just to the exit to Torres Vedras Sul and then follow the signs “Forte da Feiteira”*;
- Porto – A1 exit in the direction of Aveiro, converge with A25, continue on A17 towards Leiria. Take A8 to Torres Vedras Sul exit and follow the signs "Forte da Feiteira". * Alternatively you can take N1 through Leiria to Rio Maior. From Rio Maior take IC2 to Alcoentre and N115 to Torres Vedras. Arriving in Torres Vedras, follow N8 Lisbon and, in Catefica, next to A8 Torres Vedras Sul roundabout, follow the signs "Forte da Feiteira"*.
* After climbing the hills, park the car near the first information plate of the Catefica Wind Farm and walk (± 300 m), following the sign "GR30 Furadouro 4.5 km" to the fort.
GPS: 39.057877, -9.235646
Public transports
Buses - Barraqueiro Oeste
From Torres Vedras: stop near Catefica roundabout, next to the access to the A8 Torres Vedras Sul. Note: the bus does not cross Archeira hills, so the rest of the route will have to walk to the fort (approximately 1.8 km).
Taxi - tel. (00351) 261 322 641
Base Characterization
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Cultural Historical
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Rural.
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Private
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Nineteenth century
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Nineteenth century
Tips
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For a better understanding of the Torres Lines defensive system, you can visit the Torres Lines Interpretation Center and / or have a paid guided tour.
Câmara Municipal de Torres Vedras
Av. 5 de Outubro
2560-270 Torres Vedras
Tel.: (00351) 261 320 732
E-mail: turismo@cm-tvedras.pt
