Fort of Our Lady of the Nativity

Ericeira, Portugal, Portugal

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Fort of Our Lady of the Nativity (Forte de Nossa Senhora da Natividade) is a historic 18th-century military fortification located in the historic center of Ericeira, in the municipality of Mafra, Lisboa District, Portugal, perched above Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's Beach).

Built in 1706 during the reign of King Pedro II of Portugal, the fort was originally constructed to defend the fishing port and Fisherman's Beach from enemy attacks and pirates. The fort has an irregular U-shaped floor plan with staggered volumes culminating in a terrace roof, featuring a western stone-paved battery equipped with a simple parapet with embrasures capable of holding 4 to 5 artillery pieces, three barracks buildings with vaulted ceilings, and a powder magazine.

After suffering damage during the Peninsular War, it fell into disrepair by 1821, and by 1891 the restored buildings housed the Guard Fiscal (Customs Guard) military garrison until around 1976, when following a restoration campaign by the Ericeira Tourism Board and Mafra Municipal Council, it was opened to the public.