This seventeenth-century fort was built by the height of the Restoration Wars to strengthen the system of bordered defense of the Village of Cerveira. Would act in conjunction with the Castle, the Penedo do Castelinho and the Atalaia of Lovelhe. Built under the orders of General D. Francisco de Azevedo who was also an engineer, the Fortress of Lovelhe has been erected between 1660 and 1662. The only entrance is facing the Southeast. It’s made up of two round arches and a hallway. Inside, on the weapons square, are still visible ruins of the old barracks, stables, barn and chapel, and three access ramps to the flattened land. In 1758, almost a century after the Restoration War, the square was unguarded and without sentinel. It has ruined barracks and warehouses. The Fortress of Lovelhe would serve as shelter for cattle. In 1776, the walls would be reformed. The five barracks, including the warehouse of gunpowder, have also been restored. The Fortress of Lovelhe had military value again, with five to ten soldiers permanently. A few decades later, in 1809, the Fortress of Lovelhe, would face their biggest challenge. During the 2nd French invasion, the Fortress of Lovelhe would help to repel the well-trained armies of General Soult.
General Soult saw missed his mission of entering in Portugal by the Minho River through Cerveira. He would eventually come by Chaves. When he had the opportunity, has been carried out her revenge. After entering in Portugal, the Napoleonic troops burned and looted various lands. Vila Nova de Cerveira would be no exception. From robberies and sacks, Napoleon's troops had exploded the interior of these Fortress facilities. In the nineteenth century, the Fortress of Lovelhe definitely would lose its military function. In 1857 he served as lazaretto, due to an epidemic.
In the early twentieth century, is selling one of the military buildings of the Fortress. In the 30's several barracks and other buildings inside the Fortress were rented to individuals. In the 80s and 90s already in public supervisory, the Fortress of Lovelhe has been subject to redevelopment works.
Location: Vila Nova de Cerveira
