|
Barra Fort in Macau occupies the highest place in the military annals of Macau.
Replicating the medieval fortress cities of Europe and elsewhere in the world,
the fort comprises a small town. The Barra fort in Macau was constructed into
the hills on the tip of the Macau peninsula.
Barra Fort in Macau was constructed in 1629. The location is the place where
once an older cannon battery was positioned. The fortress like other forts in
Macau is entrusted with the security of the colonial land. The specific task
was to secure the bar at the access to the Inner Harbor from the Dutch invasion
of 1622. The Portuguese military strategist gave vital recognition to the Barra
Fort in Macau. This is evident from the very facts that during the 17th and
18th centuries, the commanding officers of the citadel were selected directly
by the Royal Court at Lisbon and free from the authority of the Macau governor
and the captain general.
Barra Fort in Macau houses sturdy and thick chunambo walls. More than 30-feet
in height, the walls rising from granite foundations, were 19 feet concrete
at the base and 11 feet at the crest. The main raised area was 375? by 1.38?.
It contains 12 cannons of 24-pound calibre and four huge cannons of 50 pound
each. A water reservoir with 3,000-ton capacity and quarters to house the commander
and 60 soldiers are other prime Macau attractions inside the fort. Going higher
up the hill, you can witness a guard dwelling fixed with six 24-pound cannons.
Barra Fort in Macau houses the St. James chapel built in 1740. The patron deity
is regarded as the benefactor saint of the military genius. According to folk
tales the saint? s statue used to patrol the fort at night and had mud on his
boots. The soldiers deputed there were detailed to clear them. Once the combatant
failed to do his work and was hit on the skull by St. James? weapon. During
the Second World War the cannons of the Barra Fort in Macau were sold for rice
to supply to the refugees from Hong Kong and China.
Barra Fort in Macau has now been converted in to a Portuguese inn. This hotel
is now, one of the greatest Macau tourist attractions on your Macau travel.
Plan your Macau tour and take pleasure in the forts in the isles of Macau, China,
Asia. Asiarooms offers online information on Macau travel. For more information,
explore relevant links on Macau travel on Asiarooms.
|
