Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Luz
Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Luz
Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Luz
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
71 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
27
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,162 contributions
Mar 2020
It is a very pleasant stroll up the slope that leads from Ribeira Beach to the citadel. It only takes 3-4 minutes and the walk allows you to look down over the beach, the fishing boat harbour and the marina. It’s well worth doing.
Entry to the citadel is free and what you see here are the original heavy-duty defensive walls, a tower and fort. The walls were built between 1410-1415 to protect against potential invasion and attacks. As further insurance, they added the tower of St Anthony in 1488 and the fort of Nossa Senhora de Luz (Our Lady of Light) in 1595. The fort was ordered by King Philip I and was designed by an Italian, Captain Fratino. It’s an unusual and rare design with a triangular shape. This makes quite dramatic and interesting angular shots for photos.
In addition to the military defences, there is also a sunny, central courtyard with several outdoor sculptures where you can sit for a coffee. The royal summer palace, added by King Luis I in the 1800s, sits within the walls too but it can only be visited at certain times and with a guide.
Entry to the citadel is free and what you see here are the original heavy-duty defensive walls, a tower and fort. The walls were built between 1410-1415 to protect against potential invasion and attacks. As further insurance, they added the tower of St Anthony in 1488 and the fort of Nossa Senhora de Luz (Our Lady of Light) in 1595. The fort was ordered by King Philip I and was designed by an Italian, Captain Fratino. It’s an unusual and rare design with a triangular shape. This makes quite dramatic and interesting angular shots for photos.
In addition to the military defences, there is also a sunny, central courtyard with several outdoor sculptures where you can sit for a coffee. The royal summer palace, added by King Luis I in the 1800s, sits within the walls too but it can only be visited at certain times and with a guide.
Written January 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK25,852 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The old castle was obviously a large fortification in its day. It is now a multi functional area with a palace, hotel,restaurant and shops. Also home to many great street art sculptures.
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manuela L
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg6,644 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Nice for walking and visit the fortress, nice terrace to take pictures; historic fortress built on a rocky coastal and is from the 17th century; to stroll by good weather.
Written April 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamC2C
Great Dunmow, UK128 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Take the opportunity to visit and step up the tower to views of harbour and town. Watch your head when you go down below into the archaeology parts of the fortress.
Written October 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK25,852 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
This citadel was one of numerous defence castles built by the Portuguese in the days when it had a large empire. Nice place to walk around or visit
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NealPetersen
Charleston317 contributions
Jan 2016
Nice place to walk around particularly late afternoon. Sometimes inside the fort they have special events like the one we went to some years back where they had a tight rope walker / model balancing a ladder on the tight rope and climbing a few rungs while a long hair violinist played amazing music. I have walked to the marina behind the fort so may times over the years to look back at the bay and the Hotel Baia.
Written February 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drsped
Houston, TX410 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Free entrance to the Fortress and Tower. Overall this is a quick stop with good views from the tower. What we really liked was listening to the video and learning the history of the location. Fabulous information that a lot of our local friends did not know. The video wasn't too long but very informative. It is definitely worth the stop.
Written May 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnhp702
Derby, UK20,135 contributions
Nov 2022
Take a walk around the outside admiring the fortifications then enter the courtyard which has various sculptures and a few Art Galleries and the Summer Palace.
Written November 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,503 contributions
Apr 2022
Come here to take some photos and to walk around the structure. It has long been an important part of the local landscape, protecting the area. Now houses government functions.
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
malc1005
Kettering, UK5,535 contributions
Nov 2019
A nice fortress to take a look around, very multi functional now, but still keeps its history. Well worth a visit.
Written December 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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