After his troubling . The Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts and other military defences built in secrecy to defend Lisbon during the Peninsular War. The accommodations have a hot tub. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Work 116. When the Allies renewed their offensive in 1811, they were reinforced with fresh British troops. In September 1810, the field army had some 66,598 regular soldiers. Work 114a. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. They did not comprise solid lines, instead they formed groupings of heavily defended areas that were self-supporting, with mobile troops based in fortified camps ready to counterattack when necessary. One of the coldest winters the area had ever seen hit Portugal and killed many of the French forces. The human cost was great for the local population, because of the privations they endured. Everything was preserved as a secret, whose maintenance is as surprising as the building of the lines. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Subcategories. [1] He was also inspired by the Martello Towers along the English Channel coast. Work 118. Part of the defensive Lines of Torres Vedras initiated by Arthur Wellesley in the Peninsular Wars The red . Lines of Torres Vedras (Redirected from Torres Vedras Lines) . The Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts built in secrecy to defend Lisbon during the Peninsular War. Recommended. The building of the lines took, surprisingly, only 10 to 11 months. It can broadly be divided into three sections, from the Fort of Casa on the Tagus to Bucelas, from Bucelas to Mafra, and from Mafra to the sea, a total distance of 22 miles (35km). Joo VI and the Portuguese court had fled to Brazil and the nation lived under the possibility of a third French occupation. This page was last edited on 25 July 2022, at 17:55. He used a report of Colonel Vincent, ordered by Junot in 1807, describing the excellent defensive capacities in the region nearby Lisbon. Destinations. Photos. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The second line was situated 13 km further south and the third line protected the port of So Julio da Barra (St. Julian of the Bar), right in the river estuary, in Lisbon. Anyone even vaguely interested in the Napoleonic erase should visit the region. "Wellington has made them", replied someone. Please join and help us protect this important historical feature. This is what we aim to show you during a half-day, full day or two day tour . . Torres Vedras is a beautiful tiny city near Lisbon. [9], The lines were divided up into districts by Wellington in a letter dated 6 October 1810. Every possible obstacle was constructed, using natural features where possible. [8][11], The second section extended from Arruda to the west of Monte Agrao, which was crowned by the very large fort now known as the Fort of Alqueido, mounting twenty-five guns, with three smaller forts to support it. To help alleviate the pace of the tour we introduce you to some of the local wines and gastronomy during the lunch break. 64 relations. Work 112. Originally the Second Line was intended to be the main line of defence, 30km (19mi) north of Lisbon. Retrieved 18 October 2018, European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum, Torres Vedras. Publication Date: 20 Jun 2003. Work 121. This area was under the command of Hill's division. See your selected contents and create your own Plan or Brochure, Enter your e-mail address and you will receive a message from Visitportugal. Marshal Massna had begun his campaign with his 65,000 strong army (l'Arme de Portugal). Edgar Henrique Clemente Pra (born 19 November 1960) is a Portuguese filmmaker.Pra is also a fine artist and a graphic comics artist . From the Pass of Freixal, near Bucelas to the right of the Pass of Mafra. Work 116. C. Even after the French had retreated from Portugal, construction of the lines continued in expectation of their return, and in 1812 34,000 men were still working on them. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Lines of Torres Vedras - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Defensive fortifications built during the third Napoleonic invasion (1810). Got it! The three lines of Torres Vedras had redoubts and forts strategically placed in the top of hills, controlling the roads to Lisbon and using the natural obstacles of the land. I may be at Torres Vedras until then. Video Presentations for the Friends. Each redoubt was protected by a ditch or dry moat, with parapets, and was palisaded. Torres Vedras Food & gourmet tours Guided tours Day trips Filters 2 activities found How GetYourGuide ranks activities Activities on the GetYourGuide marketplace are ranked by a combination of factors including popularity, diversity, availability, customer rating, cancellation rate, performance over time, and amount of revenue generated. The Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts built in secrecy to defend Lisbon during the Peninsular War.Named after the nearby town of Torres Vedras, they were ordered by Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, constructed by Sir Richard Fletcher, 1st Baronet and his Portuguese workers between November 1809 and September 1810, and used to stop Massna's 1810 offensive. The redoubts of the First Line did not require more than 20,000 men to defend them, which left the whole of the true field-army free not only to reinforce any threatened point but also to make counter-attacks. The works were sufficiently complete to halt the advance of the French troops, who arrived in October of the same year. Edgar Pra studied Psychology, but switched to Film at the Portuguese National Conservatory, presently Lisbon Theatre and Film School (Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema). 4WD is advised for some of the Fortes since access is a bit dodgy, even if it is summer take some extra coat since in there in the hills it can be quite windy; expect to be amazed with some of the views; imagine the solders there defending the fortes Hotels near Museu Municipal Leonel Trindade, Hotels near Stio Arqueolgico Castro do Zambujal, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Torres Vedras, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Torres Vedras, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours in Torres Vedras, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Torres Vedras, Historical & Heritage Tours in Torres Vedras, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Torres Vedras, Game & Entertainment Centers in Torres Vedras, Castelo de Torres Vedras: Tickets & Tours, Rock Climbing and Canyoneering Combo Trip near Zion National Park, Titanic Experience: Original White Star Line Ticket Office Guided Tours, Jeep Tours in Tusheti with local experienced English speaking Driver, Early Access to Chichen Itza All Inclusive with Valladolid and Cenote Swim, DAY TOUR OF ESWATINI (SWAZILAND) (Min. of Portugal, 1986. Subsequently, French troops under the command of General Junot entered Portugal, which requested support from the British. Did Wellington make the mountains?" After driving in the Anglo-Portuguese skirmish line on 13 October, the VIII Corps tried to push forward on the 14th. [5] Defences still visible in this section include the Fort of Subserra. Lines of Wellington: With Miguel Borges, Nuno Lopes, Joo Arrais, Filipe Vargas. THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS 3 cantly the Commander of the Tagus squadron, Admiral Sir George Berkeley by the efficiency of whose seamen the whole enterprise was underwritten. Author: Ian Fletcher. ", "Monumento comemorativo das Linhas de Torres", "Historical route of the Lines of Torres Vedras", "Press release Winners of 2014 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards announced", Complete list of the different military works (In Portuguese), 05 de Dezembro Caminhada de Sobral de Monte Agrao Forte do Alqueido, More details on the military fortifications, Lines of Torres Vedras Historical Trail: Guide, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lines_of_Torres_Vedras&oldid=1100393273. Wellington, after surveying the area personally, ordered in his detailed memorandum dated 20 October 1809 the building of the Lines of Torres as a system of fortifications blockhouses, redoubts, ravelins, cuts of natural relief, etc. So why fight at Bussaco if the Lines of Torres Vedras could do the job better? Asia. In March 1809, Marshal Soult led a new French expedition that advanced south to the city of Porto before being repulsed by Portuguese-British troops and forced to withdraw. Work 118. The Lines were not continuous, as in the case of a defensive wall, but consisted of a series of mutually supporting forts and other defences that both guarded roads that the French could take and also covered each others flanks. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Aqueduto de Torres Vedras. Map view. Glosbe uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Literature. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The work began in the autumn of 1809 and the first line was finished one year later. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. At the beginning of the Peninsular War (180714) France and Spain signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau in October 1807. 2) Military roads to cover the rear of the lines and allowing an extraordinary mobility of forces. The advance started from the Lines of Torres Vedras shortly after the French retreat. List of battleships of the United States Navy, The Lines of Torres Vedras: The Cornerstone of Wellington's Strategy in the Peninsular War 1809-1812, John Grehan, Spellmount, The lines of Torres Vedras. British ships dominated the Portuguese coast and the Tagus estuary, so a waterborne invasion by the French was unlikely. Map view. Work 119. Castelo de Torres Vedras. Find out more about the Lines of Torres Vedras. Roads were also built to enable troops to move rapidly between forts. It is estimated that between October 1810 and March 1811 about 50,000 Portuguese died of hunger or disease. According to the present Duke of Wellingon, writing in the foreword of Norris & Bremners The Lines of Torres Vedras, the outcome of the spectacular nature of this defeat has never been fully appreciated by military historians. [4][8], The work began on the main defensive works on 3 November 1809, initially at the Fort of So Julio da Barra and almost immediately afterwards at the Fort of So Vicente (St. Vincent) overlooking the town of Torres Vedras and at the Fort of Alqueido on top of Monte Agrao. 'What Were The Lines of Torres Vedras? It had 17 redoubts and covered trenches, 86 pieces of artillery, and was defended by marines and orderlies from Lisbon, with a total of 7,500 men.[3]. The mountain, at an altitude of 408 metres, was not fortified but was defended by what are today known as the Fort of Mosqueiro, the Fort of Ribas and others. The first line, with an extension of 46km, binds Alhandra to the estuary of the Sizandro river. Aka Mr. Ego (scripts), Man-Kamera (image . 2 pax), San Francisco Holiday Sights at Night City Trolley Tour, See all 1 Lines of Torres Vedras tours on Tripadvisor. Short code: FOR 7. This was an exceptionally good visitor centre with detailed and interesting information and film. [4] In the end, the First Line succeeded in holding the French and the Second Line was never required. Only one report appeared in the London newspapers, a major source of information for Napoleon. We visit several of the 152 forts and redoubts that constitute this amazing and vast engineering work that was carried out by a small group of engineers and the local population in a remarkably short period of time. Travel guide to Torres Vedras, Portugal, including the best places to visit (Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum, Tholos do Barro, Lines of Torres Vedras, Castelo de Torres Vedras) and all of the information that you need to know before you go. Wellington did not use his front-line troops to man the forts: instead, manpower was mainly provided by the Portuguese. Therefore a defensive system of three lines of towers was built, with a total of 152 fortified bulwarks and 600 pieces of artillery, defended by around 140,000 troops.The first line covered a 46 km extension between Alhandra, on the banks of the River Tejo and the Atlantic Ocean and Torres Vedras. Named after the nearby town of Torres Vedras, they were ordered by Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, constructed by Sir Richard Fletcher, 1st Baronet, and his Portuguese workers between November 1809 and September 1810, and used to stop Massna's 1810 offensive. 2 Wellington's appreciation for the defence of Portugal sprang from one clear sentence: "The great object in Portugal is the 23. . Torres Vedras ( Portuguese pronunciation: [to v] ( listen)) is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Lisbon, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the capital Lisbon in the Oeste region, in the Centro of Portugal. The majority of the defences were redoubts holding 200 to 300 troops and three to six cannon, normally 12-pounders, which could fire canister shot or cannonballs. The town is 40 km north of Lisbon to which it is connected by bus and train. The French army under Marshal Massna discovered a barren land (under the scorched earth policy) and an enemy behind an almost impenetrable defensive position. Work 114a. Work 121. Enjoy a . [25] A short distance from the museum just outside of the town, Fort of So Vicente and the Fort of Olheiros have been well conserved, with the former having a visitors' centre open Tue-Sun 10-1pm and 2-6pm. Photos. Full-day guided tour of the ancient Portuguese defensive system, the Lines of Torres, from Lisbon. With all our money, and having in our favour the good inclinations of the country, I assure you that I could not maintain one division in the district in which they have maintained not less than 60,000 menfor more than two months. The Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum, Torres Vedras in the centre of the town has a room dedicated to "The Lines" with a good display of information boards and artefacts. In 2001 the six municipalities covered by the Lines (Torres Vedras, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agrao, Arruda dos Vinhos, Loures and Villa Franca de Xira), together with agencies of what is now the Direo-Geral do Patrimnio Cultural (Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage - DGPC), and the Direo dos Servios de Engenharia (Directorate of Military Engineering) signed a protocol to protect, restore and sustain the Lines. This left the Regular army, of around 58,000 (being 24,000 Portuguese and 34,000 British), able to manoeuvre behind the first line, to points of danger depending on where the invaders attacked the lines.[2]. Users in the USA and Canada please select your location at the top of this page to see prices in your currency. At Talavera, some 120 kilometres (75mi) southwest of Madrid, they encountered and defeated 46,000 French soldiers under Marshal Claude Victor. Eleanor of Portugal, Holy Roman Empress - Beatrice of Portugal - Lines of Torres Vedras - Fort of So Vicente - Lus da Silva Mouzinho de Albuquerque - John I of Portugal - Battle of Vimeiro - A dos Cunhados e Maceira - Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum - Campelos e Outeiro da Cabea - Manuel Clemente - Joaquim Agostinho - Maxial e Monte Redondo - Castro of Zambujal - Torres Vedras (So . Use of the castle area goes back to Roman times as evidenced by the existence of two Roman cisterns, tombstones, coins and other artifacts. NORRIS, A.H. e BREMNER, R. W., The lines of Torres Vedras. A great start to a day (or two) exploring Sharpe country and the Lines of Torres Vedras. [3][9], Labour for construction of the forts was supplied by Portuguese regiments from Lisbon, by hired Portuguese and, ultimately, through conscription of the whole district. On the 17th of April, 1810 Napoleon amassed an army of 86,000 men to launch an offensive against Portugal. Work 112. The line was 7.3 kilometres (4.5mi) long. Surveying this line from east to west, the first section from Alhandra to Arruda was about 5 miles (8.0km) long, of which 1 mile (1.6km) towards the Tagus had been inundated; another 1 mile (1.6km) or more had been scarped into a precipice, and the most vulnerable point had been obstructed by a huge abatis. This forced Junot to negotiate the Convention of Cintra, which led to the evacuation of the French army from Portugal. [2][3] After this retreat, Wellesley's forces advanced into Spain to join 33,000 Spanish troops under General Cuesta. Closed on New Year's Day, the Sunday and Tuesday of Carnaval, Easter Sunday, 1st May, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The First Line, or Outer Line, was approximately 10km (6.2mi) to north of the Second Line. A great way to see the countryside by dipping in to the hundreds of forts and defence points built by Nelson in defence of Lisbon. It is said that when Massna was first confronted by the Lines, he asked his staff why they had not known about them in advance. Massna's forces arrived at the lines on 11 October and took Sobral de Monte Agrao the following day. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Castelo de Torres Vedras is a castle in Torres Vedras, Portugal. Destinations. The work was supervised by Fletcher, assisted by Major John Thomas Jones, and 11 other British Officers, four Portuguese Army Engineers, and two KGL officers. It is close to work Number 114, the Fort of Subserra (also known as the Fort of Alhandra), which can be visited. Date: 2009 ISBN: 1103037145 | ISBN-13: 9781103037148 . Google Earth. After his troubling Spanish experience at the Battle of Talavera, Wellington decided to strengthen Portugal. Lines of Torres Vedras. This was strengthened by two redoubts which commanded the road from Sobral to Montachique. Work 10. Caribbean. Would you like to request a different tour? Peninsular War Invasion of Portugal, 1810-1811 131. [13], The second line of defence was still more formidable. After attempting to wait out the enemy, the lack of food and fodder in the area north of the lines meant that Massna was forced to order a French retreat northwards, starting on the night of 14/15 November 1810, to find an area that had not been subjected to the scorched earth policy. There are a variety of visitor centres and museums and every one is fascinating. Work 104. f Cadiz, lines at Torres Vedras, actions at I^^^nha Casal Novo, Foz(rouce and Sabu^al ; battle of Fuentes dOnor, second siege of Badajoz, action at . [4] After the Battle of Talavera, Wellington realised that he was seriously outnumbered by the French army, giving rise to the possibility that he could be forced to retreat to Portugal and possibly evacuate. The first line had 534 artillery pieces. Following the battle of Bussaco on 27 September 1810 Wellington's heavily outnumbered troops began to withdraw towards Lisbon. Work 10. Around 300,000 people were forced to abandon their homes and retreat behind the lines, and over the winter of 1810-11 40,000 people are said to have died around Lisbon. Torres Vedras and Sao Vicente 1810. . Find out more about the Friends. The Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts built in secrecy to defend Lisbon during the Peninsular War. By the time he reached Torres Vedras, he had 61,000 men (after losing 4,000 at the Battle of Buaco). Work continued on the redoubts and 152 were eventually completed. Marshal Massena would march into an empty land and then find himself facing the Lines of Torres Vedras. Users in the UK and the Rest of the World will be billed in . [12], The third section stretched from the west of Monte Agrao for nearly eight miles to the gorge of the river Sizandro, a little to south of Torres Vedras. Les lignes de Torres Vedras taient constitues de lignes de forts construits en secret afin de dfendre Lisbonne pendant la guerre d'Espagne et du Portugal sous le premier Empire.Les lignes dont le nom vient de la ville de Torres Vedras, furent construites, sur ordre du futur duc de Wellington, par des ouvriers portugais entre novembre 1809 et septembre 1810 [1] et arrtrent l'offensive . Written 5 July 2016. Torres Vedras. The first line covered a 46 km extension between Alhandra, on the banks of the River Tejo and the Atlantic Ocean and Torres Vedras. The original purpose of the First Line was to only delay the French. Torres Vedras is the name of a chain of hills in Portugal, extending from a point on the seacoast about twenty miles north of the mouth of the Tagus across the country to a point situated about . Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea. Highly recommended. buffs interested in the Peninsula War, but there is much more to the area, in 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Book your tickets online for Lines of Torres Vedras, Torres Vedras: See 28 reviews, articles, and 3 photos of Lines of Torres Vedras, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 27 attractions in Torres Vedras. Delve into the rich history of Portugal on a full-day tour of the Lines of Torres from Lisbon. | With Historian Mike Loades'You can watch the full episode on History Hit TV: https://historyhit1.vhx.tv/videos/line-. In preparation for another French invasion of Portugal, Wellington ordered the construction of a series of defences around Lisbon, known as the Lines of Torres Vedras. Construction continued after the withdrawal of the French and was not fully completed until 1812.[3][9]. Interpretation Centre at Sobral de Monte Agrao, Centro de Interpretao das Linhas de Torres de Mafra, List of forts of the Lines of Torres Vedras, "Governo classifica Linhas de Torres Vedras como monumento nacional", https://www.cm-mafra.pt/sites/default/files/guide_-_lines_of_torres_vedras_historial_trail.pdf, "The Lines of Torres Vedras An Impregnable Citadel? Both were expelled from Portuguese territory by the British-Portuguese army under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, and Marshal Beresford, as part of the alliance between the two countries. Your message. Initially using the Lisbon Militia units plus 5,000 to 7,000 hired peasants and later by conscription of all people within 40 miles, supervised by 18 engineering officers and around 150 NCOs and at a cost of just 100,000 the work was completed, just in time. This book is about one of the cornerstones of Wellington's fight in the Peninsula, the Lines of Torres Vedras. . Lastly, the Marquis of la Romana contributed 8,000 Spanish troops to the lines around Mafra. Work 103. By using this website you are consenting to our policy for the use of cookies. When he reached Spain, he had lost 25,000 men (including those lost at Buaco). It has been suggested that the study by Major Neves Costa influenced Wellington's decision to construct the lines, but in fact the plans pre-date Costa's study. Work 117. (1807-1814) to keep Napoleon's French army at bay. Monte Agrao itself was held by Pack's brigade with Anglo-Portuguese 5th Division (Leith's) in reserve behind it, while the less completely fortified country to the east was entrusted to the British Light Division. Lisbon forums . Torres Vedras Lines. Substantial portions of the lines still survive today, albeit heavily decayed due to locals re-using 100,000 tons of stones, although there has been some recent renovation work undertaken using EC funding. Glosbe. The additional defences included 23 redoubts mounting 96 guns, besides a flotilla of gunboats to guard the right flank on the Tagus. Only one report appeared in the London newspapers, a major source of information for Napoleon.

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