Forte da Casa is a 4.78 km ² village in the county of Vila Franca de Xira. It is adjacent to the Tagus river and about 10 kilometers from Lisbon. Presently, Forte da Casa has about 12,600 people, 19% of which come originally from overseas. 
The village and parish of Forte da Casa owes its name to the existence of traces of military fortifications built between 1810 and 1811 in order to cope with the French invasions. The construction of the defensive lines of Torres Vedras was aimed at preventing the entry of French troops in Lisbon. The massive fortification at that position would be a parade ground where the troops of the Anglo-Portuguese army would gather, rest and refuel. The fortifications, whose remains lie in the current Village of Forte da Casa, constituted the beginning of the second defensive line that went from Bucelas to the mouth of the River Ribamar.

Symbolism of the coat:

Olive Branch- Reference to the olive and olive oil production, which in the recent past characterized the parish.
"Vauban" Curtain Wall- Reminder of all three military fortifications- Defensive Lines of Torres Vedras- and also recalls the toponym of the parish "Forte da Casa".
Blue and Silver Campaign - the Tagus River.

Economic Outlook

The large industrial growth has marked the 50s and 60s of the twentieth century.                                     The secondary sector increased from 33% in 1950 to 54% in 1970. This growth was due primarily to reduced employment in agriculture. This sector employed 32% of the population in 1950, but only 3% of the population in 1981.                                                                                                                                    The recent phenomenon of deindustrialization reflects today on the growth of the tertiary sector, which occupied 39% of the population in 1981.