The defensive lines that protected Lisbon from the third Napoleonic invasion have been acknowledged, in March 2019, as a National Monument.
The classification of the group of first and second defensive lines north of Lisbon, or Lines of Torres Vedras, integrates 114 military structures, including forts, redoubts and military roads.
A special protection area around each of the referred military structures will be created, ensuring its safeguard and conservation.
This classification, in parallel with the creation of the National Day of the Lines of Torres Vedras, in 2014, constitutes to the Historical Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras (RHLT) the affirmation, by the Portuguese State, of the truly unique patrimonial, architectural and military importance of these defensive lines in the history of the country and of Europe.
In the understanding of the Direção Geral do Património Cultural, an asset is deemed of national interest when its protection and valorisation, in whole or in part, represents a cultural value of meaning to the Nation. Now, this is precisely the appraisal RHLT makes of this heritage.
The investment effort being made by the municipalities of Arruda dos Vinhos, Loures, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras, and Vila Franca de Xira in the restoration, rehabilitation, and promotion of the Lines of Torres Vedras is making the safeguard of this heritage possible.
The figure of National Monument is both a brand and a tool which reinforce accountability concerning the preservation and safeguard of the heritage in the future. In the case of the Lines of Torres Vedras, whose patrimonial element is extremely sensitive (it consists of provisional structures built mainly with earth), this safeguard constitutes an obligation of the Portuguese State who, articulating itself with the municipalities and the Army, its local and military wings, assumes the task of perpetuating this testimony.
Interventions in special areas of protection are now subject to binding opinions of the Direção Geral do Património Cultural (DGPC) in what concerns studies, projects and works. DGPC should also monitor the elaboration of tools of territorial management, taking in consideration the common strategy developed by the municipalities and which has been undoubtably contributing to the protection, restoration, and promotion of the Lines heritage. The six municipalities listed above have been working together in an effective way for more than a decade in order to establish common criteria for management and promotion of this heritage and for the creation of a cultural and tourism product of excellence.
On the verge of a third French invasion of Portugal, Arthur Wellesley, better known to History as the Duke of Wellington, commanded, on October 20th, 1809, the construction of an entrenched camp between the Tagus river and the Atlantic ocean which, taking advantage of the hilly characteristics of the terrain, could defend Lisbon peninsula by land.
The main objective was to keep the Portuguese capital free from French troops – not only for the strategic value of the city’s harbour, but also for security reasons, since, in the event of a military defeat, the re-embark of the British body of troops would have to be made at São Julião da Barra. Knower of the territory and of several studies on the topography of the Lisbon surrounding areas, Wellington gave clear instructions for the construction of the defensive lines: the first line, 13 Km from the second one and with an extension of 46 Km, connected Alhandra to the mouth of the Sizandro river, in Torres Vedras. This was an advanced position, operating in line with two main works: the elevations of Sobral de Monte Agraço and those of Torres Vedras.
The second line, with an extension of 39 Km, started at Ribamar, next to the Safarujo river mouth, and went as far as Póvoa de Santa Iria, intercepting the gorges of Mafra, Montachique and Bucelas and supporting itself on the Serra de Chipre, the Cabeço de Montachique and the hills of Fanhões and Serves.
The third line was built for protection of the area where the British army would eventually re-embark. Wellington gave orders to improve the defence around the São Julião da Barra tower, taking advantage of some existing forts and building a few more strongholds.
When the French at last reached the Lines, 126 out of the total 152 military works were concluded, spreading for more than 80 Km – the most effective defensive system, but also the most cost-effective one, that European military History has known.
This extraordinary building effort, which lasted for about a year, was mainly due to the unwavering work of the local population which, under command from the British engineers, constituted a considerable working force, in a mix of forced and voluntary work.
Strongholds and hundreds of kilometres of military roads, slants and palisades were built; moats, 'wolf pit' trenches and abatis were set in place. The firing ranges were swept away, hundreds of trees having been cut down, and, on some places, even the slopes of the fields were increased through escarpments. For greater speed of communications, the Telegraphic Communication System was created, adopted from the British Navy, which allowed for the transmission of messages in seven minutes between the extremes of the Lines – from the Tagus to the Atlantic.
A large number of windmills, small and conveniently cylindrical, were incorporated in the defence as observation points, and on a significant part of the territory the
‘scorched earth’ policy was applied, having been diverted or destroyed all the supplies that could feed the invading army, causing an exodus of the population towards Lisbon and infuriating the French.
It was on this devastated, silent and resourceless scenario that the first French troops faced the Lines, on October 11th, 1810.
Initially opting for a blockade to the Lines, the French marshal Massena would keep his troops in front of them until November 15th, 1810, when he ordered the retreat.
The defeat of Massena at the Lines of Torres Vedras marked the onset of the turning of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victorious carrier, but the Peninsular War took on a violence superior to any previously fought in Portugal, with very serious and lasting consequences at the economic, social, and political levels.
