Fortaleza de São Miguel

"For Canadian fort, see Fort San Miguel"

Fortaleza de São Miguel or Fort San Miguel was a Portuguese fortress built in Luanda, Angola.

São Miguel fort was built in 1576 by Paulo Dias de Novais. It became the administrative center of the colony in 1627 and was a major outlet for slave traffic to Brazil. This old fortress of São Miguel overlooks Luanda Island beyond the port. [ [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Angola/Things_To_Do-Angola-BR-1.html Angola Things To Do - Travel Guides - VirtualTourist.com ] ] This massive fort was for many years a self-contained town protected by thick walls encrusted with cannons. [ [http://www.angolaembassy.hu/index.php?lang=en CULTURE OF ANGOLA / CULTURE / Embassy of Angola ] ] Inside the fort, elaborate ceramic tiles tell the story of Angola from early years, and in the courtyard are large, imposing statues of Portugal's first king, the first European to sight Angola, Diogo Cão, renowned explorer Vasco de Gama and other notables. [ [http://www.africa-ata.org/angola.htm angola ] ]

Today, it is a military casern.

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