at a glance

the fortification of the shores of metropolitan rio de janeiro started in 1763, when rio became the capital of brazil - however, the original military installation in copacabana only became operational in 1823, as part of the measures to defend the city from any retaliatory attacks by the portuguese armada during the process of independence, as the place seemed the perfect strategic site for the purpose.

this military base was then disbanded on 1834 only to be armed and made operational again in 1893 during a period of political turbulence that witnessed a revolt by the Brazilian navy - it was later upgraded by fitting 6 modern long range cannons during a tense diplomatic dispute with argentina.