‘The history of the ´Fortaleza´ (meaning Fort in Portuguese) and Praia da Luz date back to the Romans.

Based in Lagos, the Romans would spend leisurely days at the baths in Luz. They would almost certainly have used the headland where the Fort stands as an observation post. After they had gone, Luz became a far less peaceful and relaxing place...

In the 15th and 16th Centuries the Moors relentlessly looted the coast from their pirate ships. In panic the villagers sought refuge and safety inside the Fortress.

Later Luz fell prey to Corsairs of passing Armadas from all over Europe.

The building was constantly being remodelled making it difficult to give it an exact date. Some historians have traced the core construction back to medieval times, others to 1575.

In 1624 the Fort was occupied by the Spanish who built a tall watchtower.

From 1640 in an attempt to counter these attacks, the King of Portugal (D.João IV) built a large number of similar Forts along the coast.

This Fort had prolific military use until 1849 and contributed immensely to the security of Lagos and the surrounding area. Today, a listed Historic Monument, it is one of the best preserved examples of coastal military architecture in the Algarve.

After the threat of Pirates, Corsairs and Occupations had died down it was auctioned by the Government in 1894, transformed it into a private household, then a prestigious restaurant.

A stone carving of the national arms of Portugal was found during the renovation of the ´Fortaleza´ and is now mounted over the fireplace of the baronial hall. It consists of the shield of the first Portuguese kings surrounded by seven castles (arms of the Algarve). This sign is today part of the national flag of Portugal.