João Baptista da Foz Fortress, Porto, Portugal

The Fortress San João Baptista da Foz do Douro was built in the late sixteenth century to better protect the coast and the mouth of the Douro River. The monument is occupied today by the Regional Delegation of the Institute of National Defense. It is a fine example of military architecture. The original basic structure was enhanced with more recent bulwarks. The Lawn Tennis Club da Foz is located at the foot of the Fort.

Visits to the Fort are free on weekdays between 9h and 17h30. There are no official guided tours, but if you are part of a large group, it is advisable to contact the Fort ahead of time to ensure that the visit does not disturb its activities.

Castles and fortifications in Portugal

User Reviews

Miguel P (11 months ago)
Porto Stage Rally 2022

ליהוא זיסברג (2 years ago)
A great citadel based on the remains of a fortifies abbey, on the port mouth in Porto, right next to the beautiful lighthouse. The place also houses model art exhibits.

Cary H (2 years ago)
We were on the hop off hop on bus and got off in this area. It's beautiful around here. This photo is across the way.

Dan Myles (4 years ago)
I didn't go inside so cannot comment on that. Outside was nice but needs some cleaning up of debris.

Jordana Gold (4 years ago)
Pretty views but not much to see or do.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Hervé S, France

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The trulli, typical limestone dwellings of Alberobello in the southern Italian region of Puglia, are remarkable examples of corbelled dry-stone construction, a prehistoric building technique still in use in this region. These structures, dating from as early as the mid-14th century, characteristically feature pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs. Although rural trulli can be found all along the Itria Valley, their highest concentration and best preserved examples of this architectural form are in the town of Alberobello, where there are over 1500 structures in the quarters of Rione Monti and Aja Piccola.

The property comprises six land parcels extending over an area of 11 hectares. The land parcels comprise two districts of the city (quarters or Rione Monti with 1,030 trulli; Rione Aia Piccola with 590 trulli) and four specific locations.

Trulli (singular, trullo) are traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof.

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