The Forte 1.º de Subserra and the Bateria Nova de Subserra are part of the set of fortifications that still can be seen today in the area where the first of the Lines of Torres Vedras’ construction begun, connecting the Tagus to the Atlantic between Alhandra and Torres Vedras. In the area then called Alhandra District, these forts were built in August 1810, under the command of Lieutenant Forster.
During the 3rd French Invasion, in October 1810, with the arrival of the 2nd Corps of the French Army in Vila Franca de Xira, General Montbrun insists on the recognition of important enemy points. Engineering officers are sent to map out the works occupied by the English above Alhandra. Between the 13th and 15th, several reconnaissance of the Lines are carried out, concluding that heavy artillery is indispensable.
In strategic terms, an important defensive position was not initially thought of for Alhandra, but this area ended up becoming the most elaborate centre of resistance of the Lines. Unlike Sobral and Torres Vedras, Alhandra only gained real evidence from July 1810 onwards. The perception that the enemy could put its effort into this wing of its attack changed priorities in defence and in the application of manpower. Six more forts and two batteries were thus built in this Alhandra mountain range, along the top of the mountain, to guarantee possession of the dominant points. Military works No. 114 and 114a are precisely two of these additional structures.
Aware of the historical and strategic value of these two military works and the importance of their dissemination, the Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira submitted the project “Anda nas Linhas” to the Valorizar Programme, of Turismo de Portugal. This includes a plan for their requalification, covering the aspects of archaeology, conservation and restoration and landscape architecture, with a view to adapting the spaces to the visitor of the Historic Route of the Lines of Torres, from the point of view of understanding its characteristics, as well as to provide access and visit conditions for people with reduced mobility.
The archaeological excavations carried out during the month of May 2022 made it possible to identify the original drainage system of Forte 1.º de Subserra and to uncover the structure of the magazine and the platforms of two of its gunboats, allowing the visitor to better understand its features.
These works are part of the RHLT Subserra Circuit, which the Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira promotes through annual activities of the Passeios com História initiative, and are part of the itinerary of PR1 – Small Route of the 1st Line of Torres.
