National Museum of Military History

The Fortaleza de São Miguel (St Michael's Fortress) is the oldest building in Luanda. Construction began on 25 January 1576 on the hill above the bay, first in rammed earth and timber and later in stone and lime. In the seventeenth century it was occupied by the Dutch for eight years, until the Portuguese took it back.

It was here, at midnight on 11 November 1975, that the last Portuguese flag in Angola was lowered. The military left in 1978 and the fort became a museum. After restoration work completed in 2013, it reopened as the Museu Nacional de História Militar (National Museum of Military History) and became the most visited museum in the country.

Inside, you can see aircraft left behind by the Portuguese Air Force, military vehicles, artillery pieces, war wreckage, statues of historical figures and tiled panels showing scenes from Angola's history.

From the walls you get one of the best views over the bay, the Ilha and the Marginal. The flagpole put up during the 2013 works is 75 metres tall and carries a huge flag that you can see from many parts of the city.