The Bartizan of Porto Pim (Portuguese: Torre de Vigia do Porto Pim/Guarita of Porto Pim) is a medieval watchtower located in the civil parish of Angústias, in the municipality of Horta.

Bartizan of Porto Pim
Torre de Vigia do Porto Pim
Faial, Central, Azores in Portugal
The view of the watchtower with the homes along the coastal cliffs of Porto Pim behind it
Coordinates38°31′28″N 28°37′54.9″W / 38.52444°N 28.631917°W / 38.52444; -28.631917
TypeCastle
Site information
OwnerPortuguese Republic
OperatorDireção Regional de Cultura
Open to
the public
Public
Site history
Built15th century

History

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The bartizan was integrated into the complex of fortifications that ringed the coast of Porto Pim, under the coordination of the Fort of São Sebastião.[1] It was a simple watchtower with the function of guarding the southwest entrance into the bay.[1]

The watchtower was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1984[2] and later in 2004.[3][4]

Architecture

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A view of the remnants of the solitary watchtower

It was erected in the extreme western edge of the bay of Porto Pim, addorsed to the hexagonal plan of decorated stone. The structure was implanted in the cliffs at the edge, with walls extending towards the direction of the bay. The bartizan is a hexagonal structure with window surmounted by a pyramidal covering.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Atlantic View (2003), p.58
  2. ^ Decreto Regulamentar Regional (PDF) (in Portuguese), Diário da República, 31 March 1984
  3. ^ Decreto Legislativo Regional (PDF) (in Portuguese), 24 August 2004
  4. ^ Noé, Paula (2012), SIPA (ed.), Torre de vigia à entrada do Porto Pim (IPA.00033700/PT072002010043) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 29 April 2016

Sources

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