São Francisco Xavier Fort
Praça Gonçalves Zarco, Porto 4100-274 - Portugal
Phone: +351 226 181 067
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The São Francisco Xavier Fort is adjacent to the Praça Gonçalves Zarco, named after the man who discovered Madeira. It is also known as the Castelo do Queijo or Cheese Castle and gets this name from the shape of the rocky hill on which it stands. It was built on the orders of King João IV in the 17th century to protect the coast from North African pirates. The fort is surrounded by a moat and has watchtowers corbelled out on each corner; inside there is a chapel and Governors residence.
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