The Fort of Ponta de Bandeira, also known as Fortezza Senhora da Penha de Franca, is located outside the city walls of Lagos.

The fortress was built in the late XVII century and was part of the defensive system of Lagos. At the end of the seventeenth century the Algarve coast was often attacked by the pirates. Lagos, which was once the capital of the Algarve, just suffered through because it was a port city. Were built a protective wall surrounding the city, but they were some distance from the coast, so the beach remained unprotected. And then the Governor of the Algarve, the Earl of Sarzedas, decided to build a Fort near the port.

Construction was started between 1679 and 1683 for years, and was finished in 1690. To get to the castle was via a drawbridge over a deep ditch dug in front of the entrance. The Fort is one of the most late defensive buildings in Lagos, and the Fort is well preserved to our days. It is worth noting that the fortress was built in a time when Portugal was at war for its independence from Spain.

The Fort was built in the shape of a square, the corners of the Fort are located watchtowers. Inside the Fort is the chapel of St. Barbara, the walls of which are decorated with tile Azulejos" the end of the eighteenth century. Just inside are the barracks, in which from time to time hold various exhibitions. Visitors can climb to the platform with the cannon, which is located at the top of the Fort, and from there to look at the watchtower.

Today, the Fort is the traditional feast of the Lagos – the feast of the midnight swim: every year on August 29, people are going to swim at midnight, enjoy local cuisine and live music.