Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga
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| Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga | |
|---|---|
Forte de São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga | |
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 Interactive map of the Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Bastion |
| Location | Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 20°19′25″S 40°17′12″W / 20.32361°S 40.28667°W |
| Construction started | 1702 |
The Fort of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga, also known as the Fort of São Francisco Xavier da Barra or simply as the Fort of Piratininga, is located in the Inhoã Cove, in the city of Vila Velha, in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Strategically erected at the base of Penha Hill, its mission was to defend the southern bar of Vitória Bay, on the coast of the former Captaincy of Espírito Santo.[1]
Background
It is believed that the donatário of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, built a small fortification on the Penha hill for the defense of his people in 1535. However, this fortress didn't last very long.[2]
Around 1674 or 1675, Francisco Gil de Araújo from Bahia bought the Captaincy of Espírito Santo from Antônio Luís Gonçalves da Câmara Coutinho for 40,000 cruzados. In 1702, during his administration, he began work on a fortification equipped with ten pieces of various calibers. Captain-Major Francisco Ribeiro was in charge of the work and in 1703, he left the structure, known as the Fortress of São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga or Fortress of Barra, well advanced. However, in 1705, while it was still under construction, it was attacked by English and Dutch privateers.[3][4][5]
The Viceroy and Captain General of Sea and Land of the State of Brazil, Vasco Fernandes César de Meneses, commissioned the engineer Nicolau de Abreu Carvalho to repair the fortifications in the Vitória Bay. The work started in 1726, when it was given a circular layout, armed with fifteen pieces. In 1767, it underwent new renovations. On its level ground stood the Command House, a two-storey building. Access to the fort was via a ramp outside. On June 2, 1862, it was transferred to the Ministry of the Navy to serve as a warehouse.[6][3]
20th century to the present day
By Legislative Decree No. 1,654 of June 13, 1907, the facilities of the old fort were expanded to house the new School of Apprentice Sailors of Espírito Santo, inaugurated on April 1, 1909, and abolished in 1913.[7] On November 10, 1919, it returned to the custody of the Ministry of War, which added a modern barracks that housed the 3rd Battalion of Hunters of the Brazilian Army. Currently, the old fort is part of the 38th Army Infantry Battalion. Visits must be booked in advance with the Social Communication department.[6][4][8]