The first stone for its construction was laid on October 5, 1846.
It was classified as a Public Monument by official ordinance no. 8579 of June 17, 1954.

History:
It was built on top of a hill, in a dominant position on the left (south) bank of the Catumbela river, by Portuguese forces in the context of the repression of the Catumbela and Dondo Grande revolts (1846-1848).

The epigraphic inscription above its gate reads:
"S. PEDRO REDUCT / It was made at the expense of the inhabitants of Benguela, honor to the worthy Municipal Chamber, the continuous insults made to the whites by the indigenous people of this district, led to the construction of this stronghold.
The garrisons of the brigs Mondego, Tamega and corvette Relâmpago, commanded by chief F.A. Glz. Cardoso, laid out and built the first stone on October 5, 1846."
The inscription refers to the then Governor of the Province of Angola, Pedro Alexandrino da Cunha (1845-1848), as well as the military engineer, then major (later general) Francisco Xavier [Craveiro] Lopes.
It was classified as a Public Monument by official ordinance no. 8,579, of June 17, 1954.
In the 1960s, a modest historical museum operated on its premises.
It is currently in a poor state of conservation.

Features:
Exemplary of military architecture.
It has a rectangular plan, with service areas inside.