Along the Atlantic coast, small islands were, at different times, chosen as places of spiritual retreat, surveillance and protection. On some of these islands, the natural landscape was shaped by human action, which raised religious buildings and defensive structures to respond to the needs of the moment. This is the case of a Portuguese island that witnessed centuries of devotion and coastal surveillance.
Occupation History
The Isle of Insua, located off the village of Caminha, began to be inhabited in the fourteenth century by the Order of Friars Minor. The choice of this isolated place was motivated by a desire for spiritual recollection and communion with nature, as referred to in the Caminha City Council.
It was on this Portuguese island that, in 1392, there was the construction of a Franciscan convent under the guidance of Friar Diogo Arias. This religious presence marked the identity of space, which remained linked to monastic life for several centuries.
In the same period, by order of D. João I, a first military structure was built with the objective of protecting the convent and the coast. However, nothing remains of this initial construction.
Unique element
A distinctive feature of the island of Insua is the existence of a well of freshwater, although it is surrounded by the sea. This phenomenon is extremely rare, with only two other examples known worldwide, according to the same source.
Evolution and interventions in the convent
Over the following centuries, the convent has been the target of several remodeling. In 1471, new cells were built and the chapel was improved. In 1502, during a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, D. Manuel visited the site and ordered new works.
In the last years of the sixteenth century, the space has suffered works to improve its defensive capacity, given the growing threat of attacks by foreign corsers, according to the same source.
Construction of modern fortification
During the reign of D. João IV, a national reform of coastal fortifications began. Between 1649 and 1652, the island of Insua was the scene of an intervention led by the Governor of Arms of Minho, D. Diogo de Lima.
The current Fortaleza was then built, with an irregular star plant, consisting of five Baluartes and one Revelim. This structure incorporated the existing Franciscan convent, maintaining the religious function in a now militarized space.
In 1676, according to the same source, the convent was expanded to adjust to the new configuration of fortification, highlighting the coexistence between the two uses of this space.
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Architectural aspects
The fortress presents elements such as fans faced in the Baluartes and a rectangular counter built on handles. The main portal, open to the center of one of the walls, is in full arc and topped by a triangular pediment decorated with coats of arms.
Inside, the gun square is divided between a platform where the old barracks, warehouse and kitchen are located, and the convent area. The Convent Church has a unique nave covered by a crib vault, with an attached sacristy, and the quadrangular cloister is formed by jeanic colonnates.
Military Restoration and Occupation Times
During the eighteenth century, the island was again the target of works. In 1717, D. João V contributed to the reissue of the Church, in particular of the vault. In 1767, new cells, a room of the chapter and a altarpiece were built.
Between 1793 and 1795, the friars temporarily abandoned the place to allow repair works. The community returned some time later, resuming religious activities, as referred to in. With the French invasions, the space was used by Spanish and French troops, losing its original function.
EXTINCTION OF RELIGIOUS PRESENCE
The extinction of religious orders in 1834 determined the definitive abandonment of the convent by the Franciscan community. From that moment on, this Portuguese island was exclusively occupied by the army.
The last military governor of the fortress was appointed in 1909, ending a cycle of formal and continuous military occupation.
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