As fortalezas manuelinas do Índico: características e antecedentes

Abstract

Soon after the Portuguese entered the Indian Ocean (1498), they built a series of fortifications on the nearby territories. With a superb adaptation to the local environment, such buildings also presented innovative architectural features, shaped as they were by the devel-opment of the new artillery weapons used in siege operations. For the analysis of these“transitional” fortresses (nowadays much damaged or completely lost...), it is essential to keep in mind the complete historical background of D. Manuel I’s reign (1495-1521). In our research, a most helpful source proved to be Gaspar Correia’s Lendas da Índia, an all-embracing “oriental” chronicle that includes also a number of splendid illustrations.