Fort of Coimbra
Brazil · Americas
About
The New Coimbra Fort (Portuguese: Forte Novo de Coimbra), also known as Fort Portocarrero or simply Fort Coimbra, is a Brazilian military fortification on the Paraguay River, strategically located near the border with Bolivia and Paraguay in Corumbá, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Brazil. The fort was founded on September 13, 1775, something that had been planned by the Portuguese colonial authorities ever since the new borders with Spain had been fixed in the Treaty of Madrid in 1750.
The fort was besieged in the opening stages of the Paraguayan War by superior Paraguayan forces. The swift evacuation of its defenders under the cover of the night after but a few days of siege was a subject of controversy in Brazil.
Today, it still stands and is occupied by the Brazilian Army, as its position remains strategically relevant in controlling a wide border area. It hosts a display of historical artillery pieces and a chapel, and is listed as a heritage site.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.