Natal - Fort of the Three Kings Fort dos Reis Magos
Forte dos Reis Magos
On the Praia do Forte, 4km/2.5mi north of the city center, is the Forte dos Reis Magos (Fort of the Three Kings), planned by the Spanish Jesuit Gaspar de Santeres and built between January 6th (hence its name) and June 24th 1598. Standing some 750m/820yds above the mouth of the Rio Potengi, it was designed to serve as a base against the French.
On the Praia do Forte, 4km/2.5mi north of the city center, is the Forte dos Reis Magos (Fort of the Three Kings), planned by the Spanish Jesuit Gaspar de Santeres and built between January 6th (hence its name) and June 24th 1598. Standing some 750m/820yds above the mouth of the Rio Potengi, it was designed to serve as a base against the French.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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A settlement grew up about 1.5km/1mi from the fort, but because of the materials used - taipa (clay tempered by plant fibers) and sand - the buildings could not stand out against the assault of the waves.
The fort was given its final form from 1614 onwards, when it was rebuilt by the well-known Portuguese military architect Francisco Frias, who was also responsible for a series of fortifications from Maranhão to Cabo Frio and also for religious buildings such as the Convento de São Bento in Rio de Janeiro.
The Forte dos Reis Magos is generally regarded as Francisco Frias's master work in Brazil. Built on a star-shaped plan, it has a perimeter of 250m/275yds, with five bastions, so that fire could be directed against an enemy attacking the fort from at least two corners at the same time. In the center of the inner courtyard is a tall building which once housed a powder magazine and a chapel.
The fort was given its final form from 1614 onwards, when it was rebuilt by the well-known Portuguese military architect Francisco Frias, who was also responsible for a series of fortifications from Maranhão to Cabo Frio and also for religious buildings such as the Convento de São Bento in Rio de Janeiro.
The Forte dos Reis Magos is generally regarded as Francisco Frias's master work in Brazil. Built on a star-shaped plan, it has a perimeter of 250m/275yds, with five bastions, so that fire could be directed against an enemy attacking the fort from at least two corners at the same time. In the center of the inner courtyard is a tall building which once housed a powder magazine and a chapel.
