A YouTuber I was watching recently made an interesting observation whilst reviewing some Classic Space sets (a break from his typical channel content of 80's action figures). His childhood interest in Lego had been brief and he acquired just a handful of sets before returning to G.I. Joe and 3 and 3/4" Luke Skywalkers. The point he made was that even way back then, kids didn't tend have equal amounts of Lego and other toys - the kids who were into Lego, were really into Lego, and seemed to choose it to the exclusion of everything else. It was, he said, a "lifestyle".

So what has this got to do with the Eldorado Fortress? Well I was one of those kids, and for me, the Eldorado Fortress is where my Lego lifestyle began. For me it arrived on Christmas morning in either '89 or '90 and it was the largest Lego set I'd ever seen. A serious departure from the tub of old assorted bricks from the 70's and early 80's that my sister and I shared. I was hooked. Over the next few years my collection would grow to include most of the first wave Pirates, but the Eldorado Fortress always had pride of place. Lego dominated this period of my childhood. Christmas lists and birthday wishes, it was Lego all the way. At least until a Commodore Amiga arrived some years later, giving rise to another lifelong passion!

It's hard to know where to start. There's just so much to this set. The 3D base plate combined with a generous piece count for the time is used to tremendous effect. Its inclusion is in no way a lazy attempt to pad out a set (think 6821…). Rather, it elevates and projects the whole build, allowing the fortress to dominate its surroundings. Imagine how different it would be if it were on a standard 32x32 baseplate.

There are numerous 'play zones' in the set. We have a dock area (with a treasure hoisting crane), the baseplate ramp leading to a double doored entrance, a huge courtyard area with dungeon and gaol, several look-out posts, two artillery positions and of course a chamber for the Governor. And I nearly forgot to mention the two small boats! Populating these areas is an army of minifigures, eight in all. Governor Broadside, with his red feather adorned bicorne and gold detailed Admiral's jacket is possibly the finest minifig ever released in any theme. Also rare, he's seen only in this set and in a similar form in 6274. Under his command are an Imperial Officer (Lt. Martinet) and squad of soldiers. Their blue uniforms are simply electric against the yellow and white backdrop of the fortress and having four identical soldiers creates a sense of uniformity and discipline amongst the Imperials. (I always did have a need for order and tidiness - it bothered me as a kid that the Pirate Officers on my Barracuda didn't even have matching trousers!). The obligatory Red Beard and a Pirate Bo'sun complete the minifigure ensemble.

With this set, playability is off the scale. It also combines so well with the other Lego Pirate sets. Whilst the Pirates have the upper hand (hook?) on the waves with the Barracuda, the Imperials have the clear advantage when it comes to land bases. I don't know if this was an intentional design choice, but it certainly brings a nice balance to the theme.

I spent an evening building this recently, taking my time and savouring the experience. It was rewarding and nostalgic. The building techniques are straightforward with the beautiful, old school instructions assembling the parts in just 24 main steps. The end result is visually stunning and the level of detail achieved with just 462 parts is impressive. Form follows function and this is classic Lego at its very best. A modern set of this size would probably have double the piece count - all cheese slope and fiddly accessories.

The Eldorado Fortress comes as close to Lego perfection as it's possible to get. Aesthetics, playability and building experience, Neils Milan Pedersen's design is a genuine masterpiece. To my eye there are no real faults but if I had to find one I would say the top room is a little spartan (a few brown 1x1 cylinders, a 2x4 plate and a pirate map tile make a fine oak desk for a Governor!). Regrettably, I sold my entire Lego collection as a teenager, all with pristine boxes and instructions (yes, it hurts!). So, when I emerged from my dark ages the Eldorado Fortress was the obvious place to start. Now a kid in my 40's, it's back in my collection and is just as magnificent as it was all those years ago.

Collectors looking to add 6276 to their collection should carefully consider the 3D baseplate. These are flimsier than I remember as a kid and an example with cracks or missing corners will be expensive to replace. Make sure Broadside is present with the correct torso pattern and hat. Also check for solid stud head if mould pattern bothers you. Again, all these parts are expensive. There's a lot of white used in the set so do look out for excessive UV yellowing. The 6x4 flags are often affected too so watch out for that and check for intact clips. Expect to pay around €250 for a nice unboxed example (2022).

Overall 5 bricks : I had this set already waiting some 6 years but incomplete. I finally found the time to list the missing parts, ordered them in several Bricklink stores and was now able to built it. This is in my opinion, aside from the ships, together with the Imperial Trading Post the best Pirate set of the whole range. If I'm correct the first Lego set with a raised base plate. It can compete with comparable Castle sets like 6081 and win thanks to the great yellow/white color scheme. It is both a playable set and a collectors item and if Lego should ever decide to re-release legendary sets a great candidate.

Building 5 bricks : Like all sets of those years great fun building this Fortress. In those years the building instructions where less detailed than the present ones so it asks 110% dedication. You start with the floor, the hatch and the outside parts like the small scaffolding Than off course all upwards. All small bricks and several wall and cornerwall parts. The final result is a great looking, extremely good defendable Fortress. I love the double entrance with in front the big arch and behind it the real entrance with the 2 small brown wooden doors. It is an elegant and very stable building.

Parts 5 bricks : A superb collection of parts : the printed yellow and white wall parts and the raised base plate for starters. The set offers no less then 8 mini figures with a load of weapons and two small boats. Further on a great variety of useful parts like arches, the bricks with modified facets and plates in several shapes and sizes.

Playability 5 bricks : The content and the building result tell the story. If you could give a higher ranking this set would deserve it !!

Value 4 bricks : It depends if you are looking for a set to play with or as a collectors item. The current value according to Bricklink is an average of some €130,00 which is a lot of money but as a collectors item worth every cent you spent. Getting harder to find because of its age (28 years now) so if you love the Pirates theme and stumble into this set I simply advise you to buy it.

*GOLD BRICK SET*

Its only 'vintage' now of course but meaning more than a harbour, 'port' does indeed allude to the fact that the governor enjoys a glass, you'll see...

Minifigure Rating:

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• Governor or 'Admiral' (some catalogues) Broadside's smart blue jacket around gold buttons with gold and black trim is a stand out piece.
• Governor's unusual historical period haircut head.
• The smartest bicorne in Lego with its white frill edging and tassel with a large red feather.
• The red and yellow epaulettes make good rank distinction.

Top marks for highly original designs that despite a couple of repeats, have very good print quality and great colour schemes. People vary in describing the soldiers as French, English or generally imperial, they are fortunately just generic enough for you to choose. I'm never sure whether including the 'enemy' in a set is what kids always need to create play but with some mix and match the pirates can become civilian traders should you wish. Naval 2nd in command known as 'De Martinet' in illustrative literature only, has a black tricorne with a hole available for those spare feathers.

Naval Dock
Where to begin? The baseplate of course. Its a raised plate and pretty great. These types are not always popular but at least in this theme, its perfect if the buildings rise out of the sea somewhat. Its darker grey rock and boulder shore print has blue waves on top from the blue studded edge making an instant foundation island or outcrop. Its pit and inverted corners make good building potential with the smooth slope providing very good play interaction. In its various incarnations this piece is actually pretty commendable for what it allows.

Both pirates and navy get a grey seated rowing boat, brown and red respectively with a swap for oar colours. The small printed flags are attached with an upside down black aerial pole. These sit outside, questionably over the 'water' (a blue cloth does the trick if you can not get enough blue baseplates for making a sea or ocean). Here the harbour edge begins forming with interesting use of high inverted slants that one atop the other and turned 90° perfectly reach the top of the baseplate arch bricks. It must all be made to measure. The black front harbour platform is a clever extension of model area using a technic brick and peg. The walkway is on cylinders and slants for an external area of work or importation. This links back on to the base again and is a slim but really useful feature.

The dungeon gets mostly plated over on thick struts and then fitted with a large grid trap door. This allows half opening or full removal if needed as the back section of the dungeon is rather secreted and can conceal quite a lot of stuff or prisoners if need be. The lower fort area gets busy with arched sections building out in to the sea again. This extends the feel of the model again to a well built fortress sitting right on the ocean. It also creates some lovely steps from walkway to fort interior. Some slants allow an arch on top to create stylish open windows and shooting posts. The yellow panels build above the ground parapets which already are topped with white arches, diagonals and battlements. This inspired colour scheme has eroded and battle damage effects with a favourable red brick print in small patches revealing the true nature of the fortress under would be crumbled plaster. This is seen on the lower diagonal corner and flat panels, yellow and white. A heavy barred door cell exists at the back extending the Navy set's theme of locking people up and imprisonment. The front gate house is an alternate white to the yellow towers opposite and this large archway holds a couple of hopefully strong brown wood plank doors. More archways extend back from this with small windows above and a more elegant appearance begins forming. Meanwhile the front slope entrance gets a corner with a mini slope made turret that also looks exceptional already.

The two smaller towers are grey plate roofed and topped in thick arched white battlements, the front one getting mostly a thick black derek for lifting cargo. Cleverly anchored at the rear, a black string is threaded through a sideways pivoting arm so when the brown chest is lifted in the crate, it also rises up with the shortening thread available. This is surely near genius. A grey hook on the end easily lifts many things but is most suited to the bendy pipe held black crate and its gold coin cargo. All above the front corner lookout post and steps enabling secure boat to fort delivery.

The upper level is a grey plated balcony with a mounted rifle and smart half door entrance and brick print lined window. Smart tactical windows feature again and the rear is open for play with a cylinder made white pillar. It gets a bit regal here and you know its for someone important, the governor obviously. It might not be so luxurious were it not for his fine crystal glass goblet! I don't recall seeing this piece previously unless I missed it in a restaurant set but it was an imaginative extra that just transformed the whole set for me adding so much character. This suggested that the governor enjoys a drop of fortified wine and so proceedings in the fortress may be run by an overly merry, blustering admiral type who points with his sword and cares more for his crystal collection than anything else. The lightest touch of imperial madness.

Finishing touches include a front cannon finishing the marvellous small turret and a roof cannon. Both cannons these get a rammer and pile of 'cannonballs' and one gets a sword clipped on too. Not to be sniffed at these incredible spring loaded weapons are pulled back and launch cylinder bricks at anyone and anything from their 360° turntables. Adding some contrast always helps a set, here in the form of the beloved palm tree growing at the back. Via clips and hole bricks two brown rifles, a pistol and plentiful trans-yellow 'flamed' black torches are also added around the fort upstairs and down. The huge crossed cannon naval flag is flown at the top tower on a stave and once flying over a fully manned and populated building, looks very impressive.

Alternative Building
The one clearly on the instructions is an interesting more cargo based harbour with a prominent crane, double doored thoroughfare and fortified roof with a cell tower. It seems pretty good but its likely you would always want the main build back as its so likeable a design.

Fortified
In my humble opinion, this is simply one of the best large sets of all time and one that is easily as good as the Naval ship in the same subtheme. The design aesthetic is highly attractive with an array of MFs to interact with the various features, be it dragging a boat up the ramp, unloading or loading goods or seeing how many pirates you can fit in the dungeon and cell, possibly all of them? To a kid it could rank among best Christmas presents ever and to an adult collector an absolute keeper, worthwhile for its fun historical ethos and very enjoyable build. Optional extensions in the form of the other naval sets, custom building and ocean-scaping increase its high play merits. I've tried to find fault and some ever so slightly weaker build points are ignorable for what they achieve, so it remains solid gold.

This set is arguably the best land base available in the Pirate theme, I was not sure whether to place this in the large or medium list, but due to its love and respect from all pirate fanatics I feel that it is a large set. The nice thing about this is the fact that it is swarming with minifigs. It features one commander, one officer and four (that’s right four) soldiers, this in itself is an instant army builder, problems with later faction released is that there was always too many officers and not enough of the basic soldier, with the blue faction and this set in particular this is not an issue. The set also feature two pirates to fight against the imperials (or attempt to breakout of the jail), overall this set is very strong, I don't even feel I need to point out how good the design of the base is, the two rowboats, the neat little dock out front(just look for yourself).

If you like this review click on the link to find it and all reviews of the pirate sets

http://legosteveblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/lego-pirates-wave-in-1989.html

The Eldorado Fortress along with 3 other sets made their debut in 1989 when Lego first introduced the Pirate theme. It marked the introduction of something special and Lego being willing to go in bold new directions with their sets and designs.

While the Pirates themselves are exciting and fun to play with, they would be nothing without the disciplined might of the Imperial Soldiers to oppose them.

The set features 8 minifigures, 6 of whom are Imperials, Govener Boardside, a captain and 4 soldiers. There are also 2 pirates, Captain Redbeard and a red shirt mate.

The raised base plate if I recall rightly was the first of it's kind, to offer different set builds and truely make the fort look formidable. There are yellow and white bricks used to suggest the Spanish Era that Pirates are set in. The fort has a brig, crane for lifting cargo, treasure off and onto the small red row boat. Pivotal Cannons and vault are all added features to this great set. Redbeard and his mate have a rowboat of their own for sneaking into port try and steal treasure.

The detail that is in this set for it's day and age is great and truely gives the Imperials a base of operation as they protect the seas from marauding pirates. I remember many fond hours with this set and the rest of my Pirate sets having battles and scenarios.