Namibe: The Angolan Vice-President, Esperan§a da Costa, while working in the province of Namibe, visited the So Fernando Fortress, currently also serving as a Navy base, where she was informed about the country's historical cultural heritage.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the director of the National Institute of Historical Heritage, Ceclia Gourgel, explained that historically, the Fortress was a key location for receiving agricultural components from the first colony established by Portuguese residents in Pernambuco, Brazil, marking the beginning of the region's colonization. The infrastructure was named So Fernando in honor of the Portuguese Mr. Fernando II, husband of Queen Mrs. Matias II.
The director highlighted that the So Fernando fortress hosted the first mass celebrated in the province on November 1, 1949. She also noted that the site was significant for its role in containing the Dutch invasion and serving as a transit point for slave trafficking. Additionally, the location was a pivotal scene during the liberation struggle, notably witnessing the massacre of Angolan children.
Ceclia Gourgel mentioned that the district commander of the public security police controlled the fortress until Angola's National Independence in 1975. The So Fernando Fortress was officially recognized as a historical cultural heritage site by order 44 on July 8, 1992.
The area now functions with a dual purpose, serving as both a naval base and a tourist attraction. She emphasized that several restoration actions have been undertaken to preserve the fortress, with its maintenance being of significant interest to authorities due to its historical importance. The Navy base was established within the Fortress in 1979, initially operating as a Command post.
