View source for Fort São Sebastião (Castro Marim)

{{Infobox military installation|name=Fort São Sebastião|nativename-a={{lang|pt| Forte de São Sebastião}}|location=[[Castro Marim]], [[Portugal]]|image=File:Castro Marim Fort 03.jpg|image_size=300px|caption=View of the fort from the medieval castle.|pushpin_map=Portugal|pushpin_label=Fort São Sebastião|coordinates={{Coord|37|13|0|N|7|26|36|W|type:landmark_region:CV|display=inline, title}}|type=[[Bastion fort]]|built=1640-1656<ref name="monumentos">[http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=5622 ''Forte de São Sebastião''] at monumentos.gov.pt</ref>|builder=|materials=|height=|open_to_public=|battles=|used=17th century.|demolished=|condition=Good.|ownership=|controlledby=|garrison=|current_commander=|commanders=|occupants=|events=}}

The '''Fort São Sebastião of Castro Marim''' (''Forte de São Sebastão de Castro Marim'' in Portuguese) is located in the village, parish and municipality of [[Castro Marim]], in the [[Faro District|District of Faro]], in [[Portugal]].

The fort is located to the south of Monte do Castelo, in Serra do Cabeço, where there was originally a hermitage under the invocation of [[Saint Sebastian]], demolished during the fortification works.<ref name="jfcastromarim">[https://www.jf-castromarim.pt/forte-de-s%C3%A3o-sebasti%C3%A3o ''FORTE DE SÃO SEBASTIÃO''] at jf-castromarim.pt</ref> Its importance stems from it being the best preserved example of the extensive process of renovation of the town's defensive system in the mid-17th century.

The fort has been classified as a National Monument since 2012.<ref name="monumentos" />

== History ==
Work on the fort began in April 1641 under the reign of [[John IV of Portugal|John IV]] (1640-1656), from 1641 onwards, during the [[Portuguese Restoration War|War of Restoration of Portuguese Independence]], with the aim of strengthening the defense of this strategic section of the border. It was completed in 1658.<ref name="monumentos" /> Its design aimed to modernize the protection provided by the old medieval castle, transforming the village into the main stronghold of the Algarve at the time.<ref>[https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/territorio/patrimonio-edificado/forte-de-s-sebastiao/ FORTRESS OF SAINT SEBASTIAN] at baixoguadiana.com</ref> A new set of walls connecting the fort to the town and medieval castle was later built, during the 17th century.<ref name="monumentos" /><ref name="jfcastromarim" />

The defensive set was complemented by the [[ravelin]] ''Santo António'' , to the east of the village.

Underground magazines and casemates were built between 1819 and 1829 housed the Battalion of Caçadores 4.<ref name="jfcastromarim" /> The gates ''São Sebastião'' and ''Santo António'' and the walls they were built into were demolished in 1877.<ref name="jfcastromarim" />

== Features ==
The fort has an organic polygon plan (adapted to the terrain), with five bastions, named ''S. Sebastião'', ''Baluarte Cheio'', ''Baluarte das Lezírias'', ''Baluarte da Bandeira''.<ref name="jfcastromarim" />

The main gate faces north, towards the village, communicating with the old castle through a wall and covered entrance. In this way, the integration of the 18th century bastion system with the old walled enclosure of the village can be observed.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Castro_Marim_Fort_02.jpg
File:Castro_Marim_fort.JPG
File:Castro_Marim_(Portugal)_(15671378746).jpg
File:Forte_de_São_Sebastião_(3).jpg
File:Castro_Marim_100_8288_(3832528437).jpg
File:Castro_Marim_100_8289_(3832529107).jpg
File:Castro_Marim_Castelo_R03.jpg
File:Forte_de_São_Sebastião_à_noite.jpg
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[Castle of Castro Marim]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Bastion forts in Portugal|state=collapsed}}