The only major fortress Spain held in Portugal during the Seven Years' War, Almeida was returned under the Treaty of Paris in exchange for Havana and Manila.
Key Facts
- Date of city's capture
- 25 August 1762
- Duration of siege
- Nine days
- British reinforcements
- 8,000 troops
- Spanish commander
- Count of Aranda
- Key siege figure
- 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga
- Post-war settlement
- Returned under Treaty of Paris 1763
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Seven Years' War, France and Spain launched a major offensive to overrun Portugal, an ally of Britain. A two-pronged invasion was organised: a northern force entered from Galicia threatening Porto, while a southern force crossed from Ciudad Rodrigo and advanced on the strategically important fortress town of Almeida.
In August 1762, a Spanish army under the Count of Aranda besieged Almeida. Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte, 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga, played a central role in blockading and capturing the city. After nine days of siege, the Portuguese garrison yielded and Almeida fell to Spanish control on 25 August 1762.
The arrival of 8,000 British troops and disruption of Spanish supply lines at the Battle of Valencia de Alcántara halted any further Spanish advance into Portugal. Almeida remained the sole major fortress in Spanish hands at the war's end, but was restored to Portugal under the Treaty of Paris in exchange for Britain returning Havana and Manila to Spain.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Count of Aranda, Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte, 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga.
Side B
1 belligerent