fort · Natal, RN
Forte dos Reis Magos
A fortress built around 1600 at the mouth of the Potengi River, named (Fort of the Three Kings) because construction began on Epiphany. Reopened in 2021 after restoration, it has cannons and sentry boxes on the upper level, and access is by a walkway between the river and the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Forte dos Reis Magos
Forte dos Reis Magos is considered the founding landmark of Natal. It sits on the reefs at the mouth of the Potengi River, right where the river meets the sea, and is one of the most popular historic sites in the state capital.
Construction began on January 6, 1598, Epiphany (Dia de Reis, or Three Kings' Day), which is where the name comes from. The first defense was made of wood and earth; later the fort was rebuilt in stone and lime masonry, using stone from the reefs themselves. During the Dutch occupation of the Northeast, it was renamed Castelo Ceulen. It has been protected by Iphan (the national heritage institute) since 1949.
The layout is shaped like a five-pointed star, with pale walls that stand out against the sea. Inside there is a chapel, a well, living quarters and old cannons. From the upper level, the view takes in the beach, the Newton Navarro Bridge and the dunes across the river.
Access is on foot, by a walkway that leaves the beach and crosses the strip of sand and rock to the gate. The path is flat but exposed to the sun, and inside the fort there are stairs and uneven floors to reach the top of the walls.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
An hour is enough to cross the walkway, see the interior and climb the walls at an easy pace.
Best time
In the morning, on a sunny day, when the light is not yet too strong and the view of the river, the bridge and the dunes is sharper; the drier season, from September to February, usually has less rain.
How to get there
It is at Praia do Forte, at the end of Avenida Café Filho, on Natal's urban waterfront, near the end of the Newton Navarro Bridge. You get there by car, taxi or ride-hailing app, or on foot along the seafront from Praia do Meio. The final stretch to the gate is always on foot, along the walkway.
Tip
Bring a hat, sunscreen and water: the walkway and the top of the walls have no shade.
A look at the place
Forte dos Reis Magos in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Forte dos Reis Magos
Is there an entrance fee for Forte dos Reis Magos?
Yes, there is an entrance fee, with half-price tickets for the groups entitled by law. Check prices and hours before you go.
How long does the visit take?
About an hour, counting the walk along the walkway, the interior and the climb up the walls.
How do you get to the fort?
The fort is at Praia do Forte, at the end of Avenida Café Filho, near the Newton Navarro Bridge. The last stretch is on foot along a walkway that leaves from the beach.
Why is it called Reis Magos?
Because construction began on January 6, 1598, Epiphany (Dia de Reis, or Three Kings' Day).
What can you see from the top?
From the top of the walls you can see where the Potengi River meets the sea, the beach, the Newton Navarro Bridge and the dunes across the river.