The first Portuguese fortification erected in Bahia was likely built in 1501, in the same area now occupied by the Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra.

The foundation stone of that first fortification was placed in an area called Ponta do Padrão, now known as the Largo do Farol da Barra, the broad public square in front of the fort.

[2][3] In 1549, in order to solve the governance problem of his South American colonies, King John III of Portugal established the Governorate General of Brazil.

The tenth Governor General, Francisco de Souza (served 1591-1602), reinforced the fortification with stone and mortar; its design was similar to the 16th-century Small Fort of Our Lady of Monserrate.

[5] Governor General João de Lencastre (served 1694-1702) altered the plan of the site, hiring the military engineer José Paes Esteves to convert the fortification into a star-shaped polygon.