The Place
Although the Peniche Fortress began construction in 1572 , it was not completed until 1645 , shortly after Portugal ’ s independence was restored . The military outpost of Peniche , with its roles of coastal control and surveillance , shaped the lives of its inhabitants . The various phases of the site and its impressive architectural features are explained in the former chapel . But before reaching this , as we enter the fortress , we encounter the memorial dedicated to the political prisoners incarcerated in Peniche between 1934 and 1974 , displaying each of the 2,626 names of documented prisoners so far . We also pass by the Parlatório ( the Parlatory ), built in 1968 , the preserved building where prisoners could receive visits from family and friends , always under surveillance and preventing any physical contact . Another restored building is O Segredo ( the Secret ), the unique round fort where the punishment cells were located . These were small , dark , and unventilated cells where prisoners were kept in isolation at the mercy of their guards .
The goal of the museum , as described by its director , Aida Rechena , is : “ Positioning itself as a museum of memory and human rights , it aims to be a source of knowledge , research , pluralistic reflection , appreciation , defence , and promotion of universal values such as freedom and equality ”. To achieve this , it has facilities that excellently combine modern museology with the monumental heritage of the site ,
2 . Detail of the Memorial dedicated to the political prisoners incarcerated in Peniche between 1934 and 1974 , with the 2,626 documented names so far | Photo by R . Conesa , EUROM
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Observing Memories Issue 8