Fort of São Julião da Barra

Estrada Marginal - 2780 Oeiras

Fort of São Julião da Barra
The building of the Fort of Saint Julian in the Strand begun in 1553, during the reign of king John III, to control the entrance to the Tagus river, but the fort was enlarged and remodelled over the ages, according to how it was used.

The fortress walls witnessed some of the most important military confrontations in Portugal, and it is one of the country's chief maritime constructions, as well as the largest and most complex Vauban fort still existant in Portugal.

Presently, it is the official residence of the Defense minister.

It may be visited in one of the tourist circuits of the Oeiras City Council, once a month, on a sunday.