The white walls
Round towers.
Erik Cleves Kristensen — CC BY 2.0 · Erik Cleves Kristensen — CC BY 2.0 · Erik Cleves Kristensen — CC BY 2.0 · Erik Cleves Kristensen — CC BY 2.0
The Fortress of São Miguel is a Portuguese fort on a hill above the bay of Luanda, Angola's capital, in the Ingombota district. It is among the city's oldest buildings, its white walls looking over the bay and Luanda Island. Today it houses the Museum of the Armed Forces, and visitors come for its history and the best view of the seafront. Paulo Dias de Novais built it in 1576, when the city was founded. It became the colony's administrative centre in 1627 and was a major site of the slave trade to Brazil. The Dutch called it Fort Aardenburgh during their brief rule from 1641 to 1648. It was the headquarters of the Portuguese commander-in-chief in Angola until 1975. You see thick white walls with small round watchtowers and an arched gate leading to a broad courtyard. Inside, blue tile panels tell Angola's history, with large statues of Portuguese figures and old aircraft and cannons on display. From the walls the view runs over the bay and the modern towers. It is about 3.5 km from central Luanda in a straight line, and the bay promenade about 1 km. It is a military site, so follow the guards' instructions and ask before taking photos.
Round towers.
Angola's history.
From the walls.
Ingombota, Luanda, Angola
Paulo Dias de Novais, in 1576.
The Museum of the Armed Forces.
