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The Royal Fort of São Filipe, also referred to as the Royal Fort of São Filipe or simply as the Citadel, is located at the top of Achada de São Filipe, in the city of Ribeira Grande, today Cidade Velha, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande de Santiago.



In a dominant position over the city, 120 meters above sea level, it was the first and most important fortification in the archipelago. He headed the city's defensive system, still composed, in the center, by the Presidio Fort, overlooking the beach, of which today only the foundations remain; to this one by the Fort of Santo António, of which there are still traces, Fort of São João dos Cavaleiros, today disappeared, and Fort of São Veríssimo, of which only the two batteries remain; and to the west, by the São Brás Fort, of which there are still traces, and the São Lourenço Fort.



Due to its isolation in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the village of Ribeira Grande was born without concern for its own defense.1



The fort was built in the context of the Philippine Dynasty, after the attacks of the English corsair Francis Drake in 1578 and on 17 November 1585, with the function of defending the city and its anchorage. The works started in 1587 and were completed in 1593, under the responsibility of military engineer João Nunes and with the design of military architect Filipe Terzio.



In 1712 it was assaulted by French corsairs, under the command of Jacques Cassard, who then plundered the city violently, setting it on fire. It was rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century.



Nowadays it underwent conservation and restoration intervention between 1968 and 1970, and more recently, in 1999. The latter was registered under the recovery plan of Cidade Velha, at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture of Cape Verde, under the coordination of the Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, with resources and execution under the responsibility of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.



Recent archaeological excavations have brought to light the walls of the old barracks and the Captain-general's house.

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