Throughout history, the sovereignty of European peoples has been won and preserved in times of great adversity — when courage, unity, and strategic intelligence proved vital.
In a world in constant flux — where threats extend far beyond the battlefield to cyberspace, the economy, and even information itself — it is essential that European unity rests not on imposed uniformity, but on a conscious alliance that respects the diversity of its member states.
To defend Europe today is to defend its citizens, their freedoms, and their right to choose their own path. It means protecting territories — not only through infrastructure, but through investment in people, education, culture, and cohesion.
On the Historical Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras, we do not merely walk along paths flanked by forts and valleys that once held back an invading force. We walk through living memory. Every structure, every hill, every path tells a story of resistance and ingenuity — linking us directly to a shared legacy of courage and resolve.
More than two centuries on, we now have the distance to truly understand and value the efforts of all those who stood tall in the face of overwhelming threat. The Historical Route offers far more than a tour of military monuments — it offers a deep journey into national identity, and a mirror in which we can reflect on today’s geopolitical challenges.
For to know the past — and to honour it — is essential to building and defending the future.