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The Legacy of Madeira’s Fortifications: A Historical Perspective

The Madeiran archipelago, with its rich history and strategic importance, has long been a subject of fascination for historians and visitors alike. The story of its discovery and subsequent fortification is a tale of adventure, engineering, and resilience.

Discovery and Early Settlement

In 1419, the intrepid explorers João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira found refuge in the western expanse of a bay, home to two small islets. It was on the smaller of these islets that they first set foot, erecting a temporary shelter and carving steps into the rock – a testament to human ingenuity that remains visible to this day. This islet, believed by some to be the archipelago’s oldest fortification, still bears the marks of the explorers’ initial mooring efforts.

Funchal: The Archipelago’s Economic Hub

As colonisation took root, Funchal emerged as the main port of the archipelago, becoming a bustling centre for the trade of sugar in the 15th to 17th centuries, wine in the 18th century, and coal in the 19th and 20th centuries. The initial temporary fortifications evolved into permanent structures, expanding and strengthening over time to protect the economic lifeline of Madeira.

São José Fort: A Symbol of Maritime Defense

The mid-18th century saw significant developments with the construction of São José Fort, an integral part of Funchal’s port works. Under the guidance of engineer Francesco Tosi Colombina, and possibly with the assistance of Captain of Engineers Domingos Rodrigues Moniz, the fortification was erected alongside a mooring wall extending to the cliffs below Penha de França Fort.

A royal decree in 1776 led to the islet’s connection to the main island, a feat that was later named in honor of the reigning monarch. This connection, known as the Royal Way, is one of the oldest preserved paths on the island and remains accessible to visitors.

British Occupation and Later Developments

The Peninsular War brought British troops to Madeira, and from 1801 to 1807, São José Fort served as their barracks and subsequently as a jail. Maritime engravings from this era depict the British flag hoisted atop the fort.

In 1888, the government’s decision to extend the port to the larger islet relegated São José Fort to a secondary role. This period also saw the channelling of the city’s sewers to the islet, a historical detail reflected in the name ‘Loo Rocks’ found in old engravings.

The Fort’s Industrial Era

On March 7, 1889, a lease agreement with Blandy Brother’s company marked a new chapter for the fort, transforming its embankment into a site for a steam crane used for loading and unloading goods. Although the machinery has since been lost to the sea, the fort’s legacy as a commercial and defensive stronghold endures.

The forts of Madeira, from their humble beginnings to their pivotal roles in commerce and conflict, stand as monuments to the island’s storied past and its enduring spirit. Visitors to Madeira can still walk the paths carved by history, exploring the remnants of a time when these fortifications were the guardians of an island at the crossroads of the old world and the new.