Fortaleza da Arrifana, Aljezur
The Fortaleza da Arrifana is a ruined fortress on the headland at Praia da Arrifana on the sea west of Aljezur on the Atlantic Coast of the Algarve region.
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| The fortress dates from the 17th century |
The Arrifana fortress was first constructed in 1635 during the reign of King Philip IV to protect the fishing industry in the area. By 1754 there was a small garrison here with cannon and 13 soldiers.
The fortress was massively damaged by the 1755 Earthquake which greatly affected Lisbon and the south of Portugal.
Repairs were undertaken in 1762 and 1771 but finally the fort was abandoned in the early 19th century.
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| The fortress is now a ruin |
In 2011, the structure was secured and excavations undertaken. There are superb views of the coast from its walls.
The beach at Arrifana can be reached by taxi from Aljezur in about 20-25 minutes.
Aljezur does have a castle Aljezur Castle (Castelo de Aljezur). It is believed to date from the Iron Age or even earlier during the Bronze Age, 3,000 years ago. Aljezur Castle was occupied and renovated by the Moors in the 10th century at the same time as their occupation and construction of Silves Castle. Later the castle was fortified by the Christians after the town was retaken in 1249 by forces commanded by the Master of the Military Order of St. James, Paio Peres Correia, a general in the army of the Portuguese king, D. Afonso III.
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| View from the fortress along the spectacular coastline |
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