The Portuguese Fortifications were a series of military structures built by the Portuguese Empire during the Age of Discovery, primarily from the 15th to the 17th centuries. These forts were strategically located along trade routes and coastal areas to protect Portuguese interests and trade from rival powers and pirates. Many of these fortifications, such as Fortaleza de São Jorge da Mina in Ghana and Fortaleza de Elmina, played crucial roles in the Atlantic slave trade and the spice trade. Today, several of these sites are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflecting their historical significance and architectural value.