The Fortress of São João Baptista, located on Terceira Island, in the Azores, is one of the finalists of the New 7 Wonders of Portugal, in the Castles category. Last Saturday, the fortress secured a place among the 21 monuments competing in the final of this competition.
Voting runs until next Saturday, September 12, the date on which the seven winning wonders will be announced. Those interested can support the fortress through the number 761 207 106 or the TVI application. The passage to the final was accompanied by a support group that was present at the ceremony, demonstrating the involvement of the local public in this candidacy.
Located on Monte Brasil, the Fortress of São João Baptista constitutes one of the most relevant testimonies of Portuguese military architecture. It was built starting in 1592, after the conquest of Terceira by Spanish troops, and is part of a complex defensive system with approximately five kilometres of walls, erected to protect Angra do Heroísmo, which was a strategic point on maritime routes.
The Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo, Fátima Amorim, stated that it is a great honour to see the fortress among the finalists and called on everyone's support in the voting so that the fortress can achieve this recognition, describing it as a heritage of enormous historical, cultural, and identity value.
