The Fortaleza de Santo António da Ponta da Mina or Forte de Ponta da Mina is a ruined fort located east of the island capital Santo António in the island of Príncipe in São Tomé and Príncipe. It is located at the headland Ponta da Mina.[1] The fortress consisted of two parts: the Bateria Real and the Bateria do Príncipe.[2]
| Fortaleza de Santo António da Ponta da Mina | |
|---|---|
| Ponta da Mina, Príncipe in São Tomé and Príncipe | |
 Entrance to the port of the island of Príncipe (English engraving from 1727), on the left and the mid part, Forte da Ponta da Mina | |
  Santo António da Ponta da Mina | |
| Coordinates | 1°38′52″N 7°26′16″E / 1.64778°N 7.43778°E |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Portuguese Empire |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1695 |
| Events | Spanish War of Succession |
The fort was built in 1695. In 1706, the city of Santo António was invaded by the French during the Spanish War of Succession, destroying the town and its fortress.[3] It was repaired several times, and was finally abandoned in the early 20th century.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ramerini, Marco (11 January 2014). "The Fortress of Santo António da Ponta da Mina, Principe Island". Colonial Voyage.
- ^ Fort of Santo António (Ponta da Mina), Heritage of Portuguese Influence
- ^ Santo António, Heritage of Portuguese Influence
Further reading
edit- Matos, Raimundo José da Cunha. Corografia Histórica das Ilhas de S. Tomé, Príncipe, Ano Bom e Fernando Pó (4a. ed.). São Tomé: Imprensa Nacional, 1916.
- Melo, José Brandão Pereira de. A Fortaleza de Santo António da Ponta da Mina. Lisboa: Agência-Geral do Ultramar 1969. (Coleção Figuras e Feitos de Além-Mar, no. 5) 87p.