(Fortress of S. Tiago da Barra)

Completed in 1629 on the site of an older cannon battery, Barra fort successfully protected the bar at the entrance to the Inner Harbour against the Dutch in 1622. Such credit was given to the fort, that between the 17th and 18th centuries, the commander of the fort was chosen directly by the king of Portugal and was not under the orders of the Macau governor or the captain general. The fort was described as a small town, built into the hills on the tip of the peninsula. The 30-feet chunambo walls, rising from stone foundations, were 19 feet thick at the base and 11 feet at the top. The main platform was 375′ by 1.38′ and supported 12 cannons of 24-pound calibre and four 50 pounders, a water cistern with 3,000-ton capacity and quarters for the commander and 60 soldiers. Higher up the hill was a guardhouse and six 24-pound cannons, while at ground level were stores for ammunitions and supplies, as well as a large house.

 
In 1740 a chapel was built in the fort, dedicated to St. James (S. Tiago), patron saint of the military. Legend has it that the saint′ s statue would patrol the fort at night and have mud on his boots in the morning, so a soldier was detailed to clean them. On one occasion it′ s said the soldier failed to do so and was hit on the head by St. James′ sword.

 
After 1622 the fort′ s cannons were never needed, until World War 2 when they were sold for rice to feed refugees from Hong Kong and China. Over the years the fort was gradually demolished to make room for roads and by 1976 it was abandoned by the Marine Police. The Macau Government Tourist Office decided to convert the ruins into a Portuguese inn, which today is one of the city′ s great attractions. To discover how the architect used the original walls, made the cistern into a fountain, incorporated century-old trees into the design and restored the chapel, visitors are welcome any time at the Pousada de Sao Tiago.