Fort of Valença - Bastion of São Jerónimo

The fortress of Valença dates from the turn of the 12th to the 13th century. It was intended to defend the city and the crossing of that part of the river.

As part of the Restoration War for Portuguese Independence, this neighbouring fort was completely renovated from the 17th century onwards to a design by the Frenchman Miguel de l'Ècole.

In this way the walls were rebuilt and new bastion structures were erected, including:

- the so-called Coroada , with three bastions (Santa Ana, São Jerônimo and Santa Bárbara) and two half-bastions (São José and Santo Antônio);
new ditches were opened, over which dike reliefs were built;

- ravelins to defend some curtains

- seven new bastions , namely: Carmo, Esperança, Faro, Lapa, São Francisco, São João and Socorro.

Willem Vandenameele