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Other Fortifications
Ribeira Grande [“Cidade Velha”], Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Military Architecture
Apart from the imposing Royal Fort of Saint Philip dominating the bay, the defence system included a number of small forts and other military structures supporting the city’s defence, some vestiges of which survive. Noteworthy in the 1960s city map by Luís Benavente are the following, from west to east: the walls west of the city, Saint Lawrence’s Fort, Saint Blaize’s Fort, Presidio, Sea Wall, Sea Gate, Saint Verissimus Fort, Fort Saint John of the Knights and Saint Anthony’s Fort. Vestiges still survive of the Presidio Fort, Saint Verissumus and the bastions of Saint Blaize and the Ribeira (stream), connected by several wall sections along the coast, as they were the first line of defence for the harbour and city. Only four wall sections remain from the old Presidio Fort, built in the 16th century; the design is credited to Giovanni Battista Antonelli (1527-1588) and captain Diogo Flores de Valdez (1530-1595). It now houses a playground. Saint Verissumus Fort is situated on a promontory facing the sea at a lower level than the Cathedral. The polygonal layout comprises a high battery, low battery and shooting curtain. Saint Blaize’s Fort was located at the intersection of Carreira Street and São Brás Street. It included an oval terrace with stepped wall and a cross at the centre. This fort has been restored and converted into a lookout point.
A second group of fortresses was built to extend the defence line. These include the forts Saint Lawrence, Saint John of the Knights and Saint Anthony. Saint Lawrence’s Fort was situated on the extension of the Rua Direita da Cidade (Main Street of the City). It was an irregular polygonal fortified structure consisting of a high battery, low battery and various annexes used by the garrison. The building is now in ruins. In some places there are low walls of carved stone and in others brick arches marking original door locations. A few wall sections and vestiges of the parapet walk survive on the slope. Saint Anthony’s Fort, located outside the city perimeter, was the first line of defence against land incursions. Its polygonal bastioned structure lies in ruins.
Fernando Pires