Fort Ponta da Bandeira

Fort Ponta da Bandeira, locally known as Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, lies in the city of Lagos in the Algarve region in Portugal.

At the end of the 17th century, the Algarve coast suffered from attacks by Moorish and European pirates. The town of Lagos was also targeted. However, the medieval city walls were located some distance from the beach, leaving the beach unprotected. So, under the rule of the Count of Sarzedos, Governor of the Algarve, Fort Ponta da Bandeira was built on the beach next to the harbor. Construction of this fort began between 1679 and 1683 and was completed in 1690.

It is a square-shaped fort with circular guard towers at each of its 4 corners. In front of the fort is a small moat with a reconstructed drawbridge. Inside, there is a small courtyard leading to an 18th-century chapel decorated with azulejos (Portuguese tiles), and a small museum. A ramp leads up to the cannon platform on top of the fort, which also provides access to the guard towers.

The courtyard and cannon platform of the fort are freely accessible during the daytime. This is a very stylish military building. Lagos itself is a fairly busy tourist town. The city gate shown in the gallery below lies directly across from the fort.

Gallery