The historic fortress of Peniche, Portugal. by Marjolein Zijlstra

Peniche's historic fort, known locally as Fortaleza de Peniche, was built in the 17th century by King João IV. Together with the fort on Consolação beach and the fort of São João Baptista on Berlenga island, this defensive fort formed an important line of defence against sea attacks. During the dictatorship of the "Estado Novo" (1933-1974), the Peniche fortress served as a state prison for political prisoners and was the scene of one of the most spectacular escapes that took place in Portugal in the 20th century on this spot. In the year 1960, a group of political prisoners broke out, including communist leader Álvaro Cunhal. Today, there is a museum worth seeing, which features thematic changing exhibitions about this Portuguese region in addition to parts of the then prison. Its location on the edge of the peninsula is fantastic, parking nearby and on foot one can walk around the many facets of the fort. In many places along the local coast, we still encounter walls with watchtowers that protected the hinterland and their houses from the raging ocean waters and, at the time, possible enemy action. Walking around behind and over these fortress walls, the atmosphere of the time is at least palpable with a little imagination.