Located to the Largo de Caminha, in the Viana do Castelo district, the island of Insua stands out for keeping a star-shaped fortress inside and a fourteenth-century Franciscan convent. But what really makes this unique Portuguese island is the existence of a well of freshwater in the sea, a rare phenomenon worldwide.
Occupation History
This Portuguese island 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 collection and proximity to nature, according to the Caminha City Council.
It was in this territory that, in 1392, a Franciscan convent under the guidance of Friar Diogo Arias. This religious presence shaped the identity of the island, which remained linked to monastic life during generations. At the same time, D. João I had a first defensive structure lifted to protect the convent and the coast. Currently, traces of this initial construction do not subsist.
Unique element
One of the particularities of Ilus Island is the existence of a well of freshwater, despite being surrounded by the sea. This phenomenon is considered rare, with only two other similar cases identified worldwide, according to the same source.
Evolution and interventions in the convent
In 1471, new cells were built and the chapel was improvement. 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 was again intervened to reinforce its defensive capacity, in the face of 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 campaign of reform of coastal defense structures began. Between 1649 and 1652, the island of Insua was the subject of an intervention led by the Governor of Arms of Minho, D. Diogo de Lima.
It was during this period that the current Fortaleza was built, with a plant in an irregular star, consisting of five Baluartes and one Revelim. This structure has incorporated the existing Franciscan Convent, maintaining religious practice in a now fortified space.
Architectural aspects
The fortress integrates elements such as fans in the Baluartes and a rectangular counter based on handles. The main portal, open to the center of one of the walls, features a full arc turned by a triangular pediment with coats of arms, as referred to in the same source.
Inside, the Arms Square is divided between a platform where the old barracks, warehouse and kitchen are located, and the convent zone. The Convent Church has a unique nave covered by a cradle vault, with an attached sacristy. The quadrangular cloister is composed of jonic columnates.
Military Restoration and Occupation Times
During the eighteenth century, the island was again the target of interventions. In 1717, D. John V supported the reissification of the Church, namely the vault. In 1767, new cells, a room of the chapter and a new altarpiece were built.
Between 1793 and 1795, the friars temporarily abandoned the island to allow restoration works. The community returned later, resuming religious activities, as referred to in the municipality. With the French invasions, the space was used by Spanish and French troops, progressively losing its original function.
EXTINCTION OF RELIGIOUS PRESENCE
According to the extinction of religious orders in 1834 dictated the definitive abandonment of the convent by the Franciscans. From that date, this Portuguese island was occupied exclusively by the Portuguese Army. The last military governor of the fortress was appointed in 1909, ending a regular military occupation cycle that lasted more than two centuries.
Interestingly, despite abandonment, the structure remains relatively well maintained and is one of the few island fortifications in Portugal with simultaneous presence of religious and military elements.
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