The fort was constructed in 1581, to support the defense of the island from an eminent Spanish invasion, brought on by the succession crisis of 1580.

It was constructed simultaneously with the neighboring Fort of Salga, under the authority of the Azorean Inspector-General/Magistrate, Ciprião de Figueiredo e Vasconcelos, in conformity with the defense plan for the island elaborated by Engineer Tommaso Benedetto de Pesaro.
Its construction was paid for with tax increases over commercial goods, foodstuffs, anchorage duties and, much later, by new taxes imposed on the estates in the archipelago, with citizens in Angra contributing 10.000 Cruzados, while villagers of Praia submitted 5.000 cruzados.

The fort was part of an integrated system of fortifications, that followed in the southern coast of the island, consisting of small redoubts.
This fort crossed-firing lines with the Forte da Igreja.

Between the 17th and end of the 19th centuries, the site was always under bombardment from pirates, invaders or rebels, owing to its important strategic position, being garrisoned by five artillery pieces, and 20 support canon.

In 1830, a plan for the site was elaborated by José Rodrigo de Almeida, with the main bulwark oriented towards the northwest.
Later, the northwestern battlements, which were oriented towards the land, were removed, along with a square in the southwestern corner.

From the Baron of Bastos, "the walls towards the sea require some repairs; although the budget has been approved, the plan has not been executed, due to a lack of funds."
In 1881 the elaborated battlements had been extended to505 square metres (5,440 sq ft).

At the end of the 19th century, the building served as a warehouse and residents for fishermen employed in whale-hunting.
Its design was altered in the 19th century, with the suppression of the battery along the southwest corner, which almost acted as intermediary bulwark, along with the northwest corner and northern wall (which is extensively irregular and without parapet).
Along the road that connected the fort to the regional roadway, a banquette was used by fusiliers (today there are no remnants of this firing line).

The space was once again used to garrison troops during the First and Second World Wars.

Sometime between 1959 and 1964, the fort was transferred from the military to the municipal council of Angra do Heroísmo, through the initiative of Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima (then president), in order to serve as a cultural and tourist attraction.
Until this time the fort was occupied by an old widow, in deplorable conditions, with minor sanitary conditions.

In 1940, restoration work was completed on the fort, under the direction of sergeants Laranjeira and Lima.
The fort was constructed in 1581, to support the defense of the island from an eminent Spanish invasion, brought on by the succession crisis of 1580.
It was constructed simultaneously with the neighboring Fort of Salga, under the authority of the Azorean Inspector-General/Magistrate, Ciprião de Figueiredo e Vasconcelos, in conformity with the defense plan for the island elaborated by Engineer Tommaso Benedetto de Pesaro. Its construction was paid for with tax increases over commercial goods, foodstuffs, anchorage duties and, much later, by new taxes imposed on the estates in the archipelago, with citizens in Angra contributing 10.000 Cruzados, while villagers of Praia submitted 5.000 cruzados.
The fort was part of an integrated system of fortifications, that followed in the southern coast of the island, consisting of small redoubts. This fort crossed-firing lines with the Forte da Igreja.
Between the 17th and end of the 19th centuries, the site was always under bombardment from pirates, invaders or rebels, owing to its important strategic position, being garrisoned by five artillery pieces, and 20 support canon.
In 1830, a plan for the site was elaborated by José Rodrigo de Almeida, with the main bulwark oriented towards the northwest. Later, the northwestern battlements, which were oriented towards the land, were removed, along with a square in the southwestern corner.
From the Baron of Bastos, "the walls towards the sea require some repairs; although the budget has been approved, the plan has not been executed, due to a lack of funds." In 1881 the elaborated battlements had been extended to505 square metres (5,440 sq ft).
At the end of the 19th century, the building served as a warehouse and residents for fishermen employed in whale-hunting. Its design was altered in the 19th century, with the suppression of the battery along the southwest corner, which almost acted as intermediary bulwark, along with the northwest corner and northern wall (which is extensively irregular and without parapet). Along the road that connected the fort to the regional roadway, a banquette was used by fusiliers (today there are no remnants of this firing line).
The space was once again used to garrison troops during the First and Second World Wars.
Sometime between 1959 and 1964, the fort was transferred from the military to the municipal council of Angra do Heroísmo, through the initiative of Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima (then president), in order to serve as a cultural and tourist attraction. Until this time the fort was occupied by an old widow, in deplorable conditions, with minor sanitary conditions.
In 1940, restoration work was completed on the fort, under the direction of sergeants Laranjeira and Lima.
Fort of Negrito