Fort of Santa Teresa
Rivera
The Fort of Santa Teresa is an 18th-century military fortification located in the Rocha Department of eastern Uruguay, near the Atlantic coast and within Santa Teresa National Park. Built initially by the Portuguese starting in 1762 and later completed by the Spanish crown, it was strategically positioned on a rocky outcrop 58 meters above sea level to control the only passage through nearby marshlands. The fort's irregular pentagonal shape features five bastions with elegant carved stone pulpit checkpoints. Its massive granite walls reach up to 11.5 meters in height and are up to 7 meters wide in embankments. Inside, the fort could house approximately 300 men, with well-preserved colonial-era stone buildings including a chapel, guard rooms, powder magazine, and cells. Notable features include three main gates, a trench known as "El Túnel de la Trinchera," and a legendary underground tunnel called "El Túnel del Arca," rumored to connect to the Atlantic Ocean and hide a secret artifact. Nearby lies a historic cemetery containing graves of soldiers, indigenous people, and slaves, reflecting the diverse occupants of the fort. The fort is an important cultural and historical landmark, exemplifying colonial military architecture and the complex history of Spanish-Portuguese conflict in the region.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to explore the fort during daylight hours to fully appreciate its architecture and natural surroundings. The best time to visit is during the dry season for comfortable weather. Tickets can be purchased on-site, but checking the official website or contacting the fort ahead of time is recommended for updated hours and possible guided tours. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, or groups. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to uneven terrain and extensive grounds.
Interesting facts
- •The fort's walls are constructed from huge granite blocks, perfectly carved to equal size, with some walls reaching 11.5 meters high.
- •The fort features a secret underground tunnel called 'El Túnel del Arca,' rumored to extend about 2 kilometers to the Atlantic Ocean and hide a secret artifact known as the 'Arca secreta del Padre Lucas.'
- •The cemetery near the fort holds graves of diverse groups including Spanish soldiers, slaves, indigenous people, and notable Guaraní chiefs who were missionaries.
- •The fort's design includes five bastions and five checkpoints shaped like carved stone pulpits, an uncommon architectural feature.
- •Restoration efforts preserved original colonial-era buildings and stone crosses, with master mason Juan Buzzalini carving a large stone cross during restoration.
History
The Fort of Santa Teresa was originally initiated by the Portuguese in October 1762 during territorial disputes with Spain, aiming to establish a defensive line south of Fuerte San Miguel.
Construction began with about 400 soldiers at a strategic pass known as Angostura to halt Spanish advances.
After the Treaty of El Pardo nullified previous agreements, the Spanish took control and completed the fortress by 1775.
Over the centuries, the fort served as a military garrison housing soldiers, indigenous allies, and slaves, reflecting the complex colonial dynamics in the region.
Its location near vital coastal and marshland routes underscored its strategic importance in controlling access to the Atlantic coast and interior territories.
Place Guide
Main Fortress Walls and Bastions1762-1775
The fortress features massive granite walls forming an irregular pentagon with five bastions, each topped with carved stone pulpit checkpoints. The walls reach up to 11.5 meters high and are up to 7 meters wide in embankments, showcasing impressive colonial military architecture.
Main Gate (La Puerta Principal)1762-1775
The primary entrance to the fort, built of solid wood and arched at the top, facing west. It served as the main access point for troops and supplies.
Hidden Relief Gate (La Puerta oculta de socorro)1762-1775
A smaller secondary gate facing south, designed for discreet exits or emergency escapes during sieges.
El Túnel de la Trinchera (The Trench Tunnel)
A deep trench with smaller stone walls running east-west in front of the fortress, part of the defensive earthworks protecting the fort.
El Túnel del Arca (The Ark Tunnel)
An underground tunnel rumored to consist of multiple rooms and a large passage extending about 2 kilometers eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. According to oral tradition, it hides the 'Arca secreta del Padre Lucas,' a secret artifact.
Colonial Interior Buildings18th century
Inside the fort are well-preserved stone masonry buildings including the chapel, guard rooms, powder magazine ('polvorín'), and cells, restored to reflect their original colonial state.
Cemetery18th century onwards
Located near the west wall, this cemetery contains graves of Spanish soldiers, indigenous people, slaves, and notable figures such as Guaraní chiefs and missionaries. The small crosses are original stones, while the large stone cross was carved during restoration by Juan Buzzalini.
Contact
Phone: 4474 6541
