Portugal's Fortaleza de Peniche (Fort of Peniche)

Fortaleza de Peniche (Fort of Peniche), built in the sixteenth century on the island of Peniche, began to be used as a prison in the 18th century. However, it wasn’t until 1934, during the fascist dictatorial political system of António de Oliveira Salazar, that it became a political prison. Hundreds of political prisoners have passed through its stone seaside walls, serving long sentences. As you walk through is corridors today you will see vestiges of the political struggle of that time. The prison was known for its strict regime, poor diet, limits on contacts with families, isolation, prohibition of access to books. The struggle for freedom certainly had its costs and Fortaleza de Peniche was emblematic of that heavy price.