Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Portugal / Horta / Pousada Forte da Horta
Pousada Forte da Horta
Horta, Portugal · Pousadas de Portugal · Accessible Luxury
Planned by military engineer Tommaso Benedetto and begun in 1567, the Fort of Santa Cruz still commands Horta's harbor on Faial. Classified a Portuguese National Monument in 1947, it became a state hostel in 1969 under architect Alberto Cruz and joined Pousadas de Portugal in 2004. About 28 rooms sit inside the historic ramparts, with Pico across the water.
- 28 rooms
- Opened 1969
- Neighborhood: Horta harbour
- Architect: Tommaso Benedetto (fort); Alberto Cruz
About Pousada Forte da Horta
- Italian military engineer Tommaso Benedetto planned the Fort of Santa Cruz, begun in 1567 to defend Horta's Atlantic harbor on Faial.
- Classified a National Monument in 1947 (Decree 36383) after centuries as a coastal fortress.
- Architect Alberto Cruz of the DGEMN converted it into a state hostel that opened 9 August 1969; it joined the Pousadas network in 2004.
History
The Pousada Forte da Horta occupies the Fort of Santa Cruz, a coastal fortress overlooking the harbor of Horta on the Azorean island of Faial. Planned by the military engineer Tommaso Benedetto and begun in 1567, the fort defended the strategic Atlantic port for centuries and was classified as a Portuguese National Monument in 1947 (Decree 36383).
The fortress was adapted into a state hostel (estalagem/pousada) that opened on August 9, 1969, with the conversion overseen by architect Alberto Cruz of the DGEMN. In 2004 it became a full member of the Pousadas de Portugal network, and today, operated within the Pestana Pousadas de Portugal group, it offers around 26-28 rooms plus suites inside the historic ramparts.
The setting
Fort of Santa Cruz, Horta harbour, Faial, Azores; Pico across the water.
Restaurants and bars
- Sal & Pico — Restaurant · regional Azorean gastronomy
Experiences
- Whale watching — Boat trips to watch cetaceans including dolphins, sperm whales and other whales.
- Horse riding — Horse rides offered (charges may apply).
- Fishing — Listed among activities (charges may apply).
- Walking trails — Network of walking trails classified by the Regional Government of the Azores.
- Espalamaca Viewpoint — Viewpoint over the sea and neighbouring islands.
- Monte da Guia Viewpoint — Former volcano joined to Faial Island; classified as a Protected Landscape.
Amenities
- Pool
- Pet-friendly
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