Strategically erected at the base of Penha Hill, its mission was to defend the southern bar of Vitória Bay, on the coast of the former Captaincy of Espírito Santo.

[1] It is believed that the donatário of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, built a small fortification on the Penha hill for the defense of his people in 1535.

[2] Around 1674 or 1675, Francisco Gil de Araújo from Bahia bought the Captaincy of Espírito Santo from Antônio Luís Gonçalves da Câmara Coutinho for 40,000 cruzados.

[7] On November 10, 1919, it returned to the custody of the Ministry of War, which added a modern barracks that housed the 3rd Battalion of Hunters of the Brazilian Army.

[...] Powerful King of Portugal Peter II ordered this fortress to be built by Rodrigo da Costa, Governor and Captain General of this State of Brazil [...].