Naval School

The Portuguese Naval School is an higher education level naval academy in Alfeite, Portugal.The School offers university and polytechnical graduate programmes intended to train the future officers of the Portuguese Navy.

It also offers postgraduate programmes, these being open to civilians, as well to naval and other military personnel.The Naval School is located in the Lisbon Naval Base premises, located on the south bank of the Tagus river, in front of the city of Lisbon.HistoryThe present Portuguese Naval School was created in the 18th century as the Royal Academy of the Midshipmen .In 1782, the Company of Midshipmen was created to frame and train the midshipmen of the Portuguese Navy. The Company of Midshipmen was installed in the building of the Naval Arsenal of Lisbon.The Royal Academy of the Midshipmen was created in 1792, as a university-level naval academy. This Academy integrated the already existing Company of Midshipmen as its student corps.In 1807, the Army of Napoleon invaded Portugal. In order not to be captured by the Napoleonic forces and maintain the independence of the Kingdom, the Portuguese Royal Court and government are transferred to the Portuguese colony of Brazil, continuing to rule from there. The Royal Academy of the Midshipmen and its Company of Midshipmen also embark in the naval fleet that carries the Royal Court to Brazil and are installed in Rio de Janeiro, in 1808.