Peniche Fortress
| Peniche Fortress | |
|---|---|
Praça-forte de Peniche | |
| Oeste region, Near Peniche in Portugal | |
View of the Peniche Fortress | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Operator | Câmara Municipal de Peniche, |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | good |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 39°21′15″N 9°22′47″W / 39.35417°N 9.37972°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1558 |
| Fate | restored |
| Events | Peninsular War |
The Peniche Fortress is located in the municipality of Peniche in Oeste region of Portugal. Built on the site of the former Castle of Atouguia da Baleia, of which only a few vestiges remain, initial construction took place in 1557 and 1558 but there have been numerous subsequent modifications. Its defensive walls surround an area of two hectares, divided into upper and lower parts. The fortress has served a number of functions including that of a political prison during the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. It now contains a museum devoted to the resistance to the Estado Novo.