Atlas Of Dutch Brazil

Field survey for Fort Restinga, Ilha de Restinga (PB).JPG

Forte de Restinga, probable location of Forte de Restinga under water with high tide, Ilha de Restinga, Photo O.F. Hefting 2006.JPG

Forte Restinga (PB), buildingmaterials, inclusive Dutch yellow bricks found at the probable location of Forte Restinga, Photo O.F. Hefting 2006.JPG

Forte Restinga (PB), probable location of Forte Restinga with low tide, Ilha de Restinga, Photo O.F. Hefting 2006.JPG

Ilha de Restinga (PB). Most easterly point with low tide, Ivo showing lama.JPG

Ilha de Restinga (PB). Southwest side.Tourist point.JPG

Ilha de Restinga (PB).Most easterly point with low tide, direction east.JPG

Forte Restinga
Abstract
In 1579 the Portuguese built a small wooden fortification on the Ilha dos Frades (known as Restinga during the Dutch period). This island is located in the middle of the mouth of the Paraíba river and therefore played an important defensive role together with the fortresses of Santa Catarina do Cabedelo on the southern shore of the river and Santo Antonio on the northern one. Attacked various times by the Indians of the region, the Potiguar, the fortification was soon abandoned. It was only in 1631, when Paraíba was threatened by the Dutch, that another fort was erected.

Timeline
You should have flash installed to see this.
< 1579-1580 Portuguese >
A small wooden fortification is built on the Ilha da Conceição or Ilha dos Frades, at the entrance of the river Paraíba. Shortly after, Indian people of the region attack the fort.
< 1580-1631 Spanish >
1580-1631 During this period Spain and Portugal are unified under one crown. The Portuguese possessions in Brazil fall under the Spanish crown jurisdiction. After a first construction by the Portuguese in 1579, the fort must have been destroyed by the attacks of the Indian people in the region, as there is no mention of this fort in the Spanish sources until 1631. According to Elias Herckman's description of Paraíba, this fort was called São Bento during the Spanish period. 1631-1634 No mention of this fort in Spanish sources until 1631. Since the Dutch attack in 1631, the Portuguese decided to strengthen the three forts protecting the entrance of the Paraíba river: Santo Antonio, Santa Catarina and São Bento (later Restinga). All three forts were at this time under construction.
< 1631-1634 Spanish >
No mention of this fort in Spanish sources until 1631. Since the Dutch attack in 1631, the Portuguese decided to strengthen the three forts protecting the entrance of the Paraíba river: Santo Antonio, Santa Catarina and São Bento (later Restinga). All three forts were at this time under construction.
< 1634-1636 Dutch >
1634-1636 The second Dutch attack succeeds and the fort falls under their rule. 1636-1638 The Dutch rebuilt the fort with 1500 guilders. The fort has two bulwarks and an open back. 1638-1639 During his visit to Paraíba, Governor Johan Maurits van Nassau gives orders to reinforce the fort and to build palisades around it. 1639-1641 Van der Dussen reports seven pieces of artillery in the fortress. 1641-1645 The fort comprises a garrison of 30 men.
< 1636-1638 Dutch >
The Dutch rebuilt the fort with 1500 guilders. The fort has two bulwarks and an open back.
< 1638-1639 Dutch >
During his visit to Paraíba, Governor Johan Maurits van Nassau gives orders to reinforce the fort and to build palisades around it.
< 1639-1641 Dutch >
Van der Dussen reports seven pieces of artillery in the fortress.
< 1641-1645 Dutch >
The fort comprises a garrison of 30 men.
< 1645-1645 Dutch >
Bullestrate orders Linge to construct two wooden fortifications (houten wambuis) at both ends of the fort and to protect it with lines of palisades (1000 palisades).

More »

Modern name	Forte Restinga
Historical names	Bateria (de) São Bento; Fort Restinga; Forte (de) São Bento; Forte da Ilha da Conceição; Forte da Ilha dos Frades; Forte Restinga; Fortim da Ilha de Restinga;
Category	Defence work;
Toponym	Ilha de Restinga (Cabeça seca- Dry head- Droog hoofd); Ilha dos Frades (Frade Island, because of the presence of the Benedictine monks, Pater Eiland, vanwege de aanwezigheid van de Benedictijner monnikken); Ilha da Gamboa; Ilha da Conceição; Ilha de São B
Modern name location	Ilha de Restinga (de Cabedelo)
Historical names location	Ilha de Restinga; Ilha de São Bento; Ilha dos Frades; Ilha dos Padres;
Municipality	Cabedelo
State	Paraiba
Year of first construction	1579
Original function	Fort
Relation to nearby objects	Together with Forte de Santo Antônio and Forte Cabedelo defending the entrance of the Rio Paraíba.
Inventory date	2006-11-14 00:00:00
Short description	Built on a sand bank on an island (Restinga or dos Frades) in the middle of the river Paraíba, Fort Restinga was a small rectangular fortification (probably wooden) which could be reached from the island only at low tide. Under Dutch rule, the fort was converted into a redoubt with two half bastions, linked by a wall, closed at the rear. In 1645, an order was given to construct two wooden redoubts at both ends of the fort and to surround it with 1000 palisades.
Possible arch. research	The probable location of the fort was traced. Building materials, including Dutch yellow bricks, were found on the sand bank. This site matches with a possible location on 17th century maps. It is possible to trace the foundations and palisade of the fort with geophysics, auger and probe. Operations are only possible at low tide.
Keywords	Fort; Restinga; Paraíba; Frades; River; Island;

Sources »

Sources

Literature

Schamalkalden Caspar; 1998; Brasil Holandês Volume I. A Viagem de Caspar Schamalkalden de Amsterdã para Pernambuco no Brasil; Rio de Janeiro; Editora Index; pp. pp. 108-114; »

Articles

images

Grontteyckeninge nae ‘t ooch gemaect; 1631
Kaart van de Kust van Brazillie, by Paraíba, het Kasteel aldaar; 17th century
Kaart van de Kust van Brazillie, by Paraíba, het Kasteel aldaar; 17th century
Map of Paraiba and Rio Grande; 1647
Map of the mouth of the Paraiba River; 1647
Map of the mouth of the Paraiba River; ca. 1665
Map showing the mouth of the Paraiba; ca. 1644
View of the mouth of the Paraiba River; ca. 1671
View of the mouth of the Paraiba River; 1647

Forte Restinga

< 1579-1580 Portuguese >

< 1580-1631 Spanish >

< 1631-1634 Spanish >

< 1634-1636 Dutch >

< 1636-1638 Dutch >

< 1638-1639 Dutch >

< 1639-1641 Dutch >

< 1641-1645 Dutch >

< 1645-1645 Dutch >