AJUDA PEQUENO REDOUBT

The Ajuda Pequena redoubt is situated north of the parish of Bucelas, near the village of Alrota, on a limestone ridge which provides a panoramic view of a vast area and gives the impression of being on a great ship above the valleys. It was built around the same time as another fortification on the same ridge: the Ajuda Grande Redoubt.

This military field camp was part of the 2nd Line and, with other fortifications, assured the defence of the land between the Tagus and the Bucelas Pass. It specifically controlled the road which joined Sobral de Monte Agraço and Santo Antão do Tojal, passing through Arranhó and Bucelas.

This redoubt is polygonal in shape and is surrounded by a trench partially dug out of the rocky substratum. It has not been the subject of archaeological investigation but you can make out the area of the embrasures and the magazine.