Castelo da Póvoa

The Castelo da Póvoa, also Fortress of Póvoa de Varzim, officially Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição or Nossa Senhora da Conceição Fortress, is a Portuguese fortress in Póvoa de Varzim rebuilt during the reigns of Peter II and John V to defend the town from privateers, in the site of an earlier fort known as "Forte de Torrão". It is considered a listed property of Public Interest in Portugal.HistoryEarly fortPinho Leal, in the book Portugal Antigo e Moderno stated that it is supposed that a small and ancient fort, named Forte de Torrão, was built in the 15th century, during the reign of John I of Portugal. In the end of the 16th century, the shipbuilding industry started developing in the area of Ribeira, a shipyard located around the fort.The fortification was financed by Póvoa de Varzim Town Hall, and had as main goal to protect the local merchant community from privateer attacks. This early fort, that still existed in 1685, was garnished by a lieutenant, a condestável and two artillerymen, nominated by the town hall.18th-century fortressIn the end of the 17th century, during the Age of Gunpowder, with the urge for a better defense of the seaport, the alcaide (governor of the fort) João de Almeira Rêgo thought that the construction of a new fortress would be preferable.Construction began in 1701, during the reign of Peter II of Portugal. Works halted in 1703 due to lack of funding. Several years later, John V of Portugal, unaware of the situation, was informed that the port of Póvoa de Varzim had no security as construction works stopped in the fortress for several years.