Built at a time when pirate and corsair attacks were commonplace, the São Bento da Ribeira Brava Fort is an important part of the historical heritage of the west coast of the island of Madeira. It was 1708 when the Governor of Madeira, Duarte Sodré Pereira, ordered this fortification to be built to protect the coast and the anchorage.
However, in October 1803, the flood that affected the island would end up causing deep damage to the São Bento da Ribeira Brava Fort, leaving it in ruins. More than a century later, in 1916, works began to refurbish this building. The result of that recovery process was the monument that nowadays can be admired at the waterfront of the town of Ribeira Brava.
It is a small circular tower, covered by a terrace with a guardhouse. On the main façade, facing north, we highlight the doorway with a cement masonry frame, in a perfect round arch, topped by an inscription and the national coat of arms. In turn, on the sea side, the São Bento da Ribeira Brava Fort has an image of Saint Benedict in a small niche. It currently houses a Tourist Information Office.
The São Bento da Ribeira Brava Fort was built in 1708 to protect the coast from corsair attacks. Today, this historic building houses a Tourist Information Office.
