Fortress of São Miguel
Fortaleza de São Miguel
A promontory fort built by the Portuguese in 1576, whose walls house the Armed Forces Museum and offer panoramic views over Luanda Bay.
Fortaleza de São Miguel was begun in 1576 by Paulo Dias de Novais, founder of Luanda, and is one of the oldest surviving colonial buildings in Angola. For a long time it served as the seat of the colonial government and a transit centre for the slave trade. The fort's inner walls are decorated with blue-and-white tile panels depicting colonial history. It now houses the Armed Forces Museum, with tanks, aircraft and artillery from the war of independence and the civil war, as well as Portuguese colonial-era statues moved here from the city. The ramparts offer views of the seafront avenue, Luanda Bay and Ilha de Luanda, making it one of the best viewpoints in the city. Entry is cheap, the museum is closed on Mondays, and it is best to ask staff before taking photos.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- National Museum of Anthropology
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Remedies
- Marginal de Luanda (Avenida 4 de Fevereiro)
- National Bank of Angola Building
- Church of Our Lady of Carmo
- Iron Palace
- Mausoleum of Agostinho Neto
- National Museum of Natural History