Originally located on Morro do Vigia, this fort was important in the initial defense of Vitória against attacks such as Thomas Cavendish's. Initially a wooden and earth structure, it was altered and expanded over the centuries. In the 18th century, plans show that the fortification had an irregular half-heptagon shape, maintaining this pattern until the end of the 19th century, when it was deactivated in 1888 and annexed to the property of Chácara do Bispo. Its structure was almost entirely altered after functioning as a casino and then as the headquarters of the Clube de Regatas Saldanha da Gama in 1931, gaining three floors and the appearance of a large house.