Article Nº 1512 Fortress or defensive work Santa Cruz Vol. II · p. 91

Porto Novo (fort)

Original title: Forte do Porto Novo

Fortress or defensive work

A fort begun in 1827 by Governor Travassos Valdez above the Porto Novo stream, unfinished when the Miguelists took the island in 1828 and later completed by D. Álvaro da Costa.

It was begun in 1827 by Governor José Lúcio Travassos Valdez, on the right bank of the Ribeira do Porto Novo (‘new harbour’). It was still unfinished when Miguelist troops took the island in 1828, and a chest of munitions exploded there. The fort was completed by order of Dom Álvaro da Costa and was served by the old Caniço road (Estrada velha do Caniço).

There was also a small fort on the beach, already in ruins by this time and of no importance.

People mentioned

Álvaro da Costa
José Lúcio Travassos Valdez 1787–1862

Places mentioned

Chronology

1827 Governor José Lúcio Travassos Valdez began building the Porto Novo fort.
1828 A Miguelist expedition under Colonel José António de Azevedo Lemos landed at Machico and occupied Madeira, proclaiming absolutism; Governor Valdez and liberal leaders took refuge aboard the British frigate Alligator.

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