The fort was constructed, along with the Itaipu Fortress (Шаблон:Lang-pt), in order to defend Santos bay and its port.[2] It was home to the 5th Independent Battery of Artillery of Coast (Шаблон:Lang-pt).
Design
The fort hosts four Krupp guns, each with Шаблон:Convert,[2]Шаблон:Convert[3] ammunition with a range of Шаблон:Convert. An observatory post, with a telescope and a pair of telemeters, calculated distances and positions of the ships approaching the bay. Three underground arched tunnels, one Шаблон:Convert and two Шаблон:Convert long, connect the facilities together, as well as housing six ammunition depots and a power room (housing a 3-phase 139V generator), plus a kitchen, canteen and toilet facilities. It was designed so that most of the structure was underground and hidden behind an "invisible curtain" of trees.[2]
It housed political prisoners, including Eduardo Collen Leite, during the military dictatorship in the 1960s.[4]
The fortification was decommissioned in 1972,[2] with the last 32 grenades launched in a training exercise with Шаблон:Convert range on 28 January 1972. The military base continues to operate as support for the Peace Headquarters and the 1st Brazilian Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade.[3]
Tours of the fort are free, and take place on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 09.00 and 14.00. They have to be scheduled in advance by phone or email.[2] The entrance to the fortification is on Rua Horácio Barreiro, in Tombo.[3]