[ Lagoa, Ferragudo, Parchal, Estômbar, Praia
do Carvoeiro, Porches ]
A hill rises above flat lands where in days gone by, as tradition has
it, there was a lagoon. At the top, the tower of a church is visible,
above a labyrinth of whitewashed houses. This is Lagoa, where Manueline
doorways, windows edged in blue imposing turret of the monastery create
a feeling that time has stopped and suggest ways of life now long-forgotten.
It is not know when Lagoa was founded, and it was only after 1773,
when it was elevated to the status of a town, that its history was
first documented, but it is known that Estombar and Porches were important
centers in the Islamic and medieval periods and that Ferragudo had
defensive ramparts.
Fishing and the fish preserves industry breathed life and prosperity
into Lagoa at the end of the 19th century and the first decades of
the 20th. Nowadays Lagoa is at the forefront of the modern Algarve,
its economic success based on tourism and growing range of industries
and businesses.
All that remains
of the place of worship
built in the 16th century
is a Manueline doorway
to the bell tower. The
current building dates
from the end of the 18th
century and the beginning
of the
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19th, and has an attractive
baroque façade with
new classical elements.
Beneath its three naves,
the chief point of interest
in side the church is the
retable of the main altar,
with a perfect 18th century
representation of Nossa
Senhora da Luz - Our Lady
of Light, the church's
patroness, attributed to
the sculptor Machado de
Castro, and a São
Sebastião - St Sebastian.
On the other altars, and
in the upper choir and
the registry office are
to be found a large number
of icons and reliquaries
form the 17th and 18th
centuries, including an
interesting Baby Jesus
lying on a wooden bed in
the "rocaille" style -
end of the 18th century.
The sacristy houses a magnificent
chest in Brazil wood, valuable
religious objects (an 18th
century silver incense
boat and other items) and
stones from the original
Manueline building found
in the church.
Plain-fronted and small in size, this church has a carved main altar
dating from the 18th century, with a statue of the crucifixion - 17th
century and two other art works dated back from the 18th century.
Monastery of São José - St Joseph.
Built in the beginning of the 18th century in a sober, rural style,
it has been rebuilt and repaired on many occasions since, It boasts
a chapel with carved altars from the former Chapel of the Compromisso
Marítimo (Maritime Agreement), in Lagos, and an 18th depiction
of São José - St Joseph with the Infant Jesus. There
is an interesting Belvedere with an arch over the street. At the entrance
to the monastery there is an "outcasts' hatch", which was once used
for receiving abandoned children. The cloister is plain with four arcades
and a cistern in the centre. In the garden there is a menhir from Porches
(5,000 to 4,000 B.C)
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A fishing village since
time immemorial- there
were Roman salting tanks
next to the Fort of São
João de Arade-,
it had defensive walls
in the Middle Ages, vestiges
of which are still visible
today. It has preserved
its original character,
with rows of houses cascading
down to the river, crowned
by the outline of the church
high on the hill, and pretty
streets of whitewashed
walls and roofs intersected
by decorated chimneys.
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The architecture of this
building is typical of
a country church. The 14th
century altars display
a worthy array of 17th
and 18th century statues.
In the sacristy there is
a two sided representation
of Our Lady and Christ
on the Cross, possibly
from the 15th century and
a 16th century São
Sebastião. There
is a collection of sailors'
fishermen's "ex-votos" painted
naïf style and depicting
the miracles performed
by the church's patroness.
There are small panels
of figurative tiles inside
and outside the church.
From the churchyard there
is a magnificent view of
the sea, the Arade River
and the city of Portimão.
An urban centre defended by a castle during the Arab period, it had
a thriving economy based on salt production and the trade along the
Arcade River. It was the birthplace of the Moslem poet Ibne-Ammar (11century)
and also the homeland of the warrior guerilla leader (1796-1838), who
for many years struck fear into the heart of all in the Algarve. The
historical centre retains the charm of a typical Algarve town, and
has some interesting chimneys.
Built in the 16th century, it was extensively rebuilt in the 18th century.
Its façade shows the influence of the "rocaille" style, with
two towers and a Manueline doorway - 16th century. There is another
Manueline portal on the south façade. The interior has three
naves with three chapels at its head. Two interesting and rare columns
survive from the original Manueline church with sculpted shafts depicting
scenes from everyday life. Other interesting features include: a valuable
series of figurative tile panels from the 18th century, the arch of
the main chapel, the tympanum, the main chapel of Sant'Iago fighting
the Moors, the battle of Lepanto and scenes from the Gospels and the
side chapels. There are gilded carved retables in the main and other
chapels. There is an important collection of 17th and 18th century
statues on the altars and high choir, which include an Indo-Portuguese
Crucifixion in ivory from the 17th Century and an São Manuel
from the 16th century. The chapel of the Senhor Jesus Crucificado -
Lord Jesus Crucified contains renaissance medallions of São
Pedro and São Paulo.
One of the first founded in Portugal, it had a working hospital as
early as 1531. Its façade and interior are plain. 18th century
main altar and statues. There are other places of interest nearby which
are worth a visit.
This peaceful spot, located on a branch of the Arade river, consists
of an eco-museum - an old mill, miller's house and water wheel, and
environmental education are and a leisure area with a picnic park and
open air auditorium.
Situated next to the Arade river. Archeological remains from the stone
and Bronze Ages have been found here.
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Near Calvário. Founded in the 17th century it was not
rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755. Remains of murals and
tiles are to be seen, along with sepulchers and monk's cells.
A Roman archeological site has been set up nearby. Ferragudo
A fishing village since time immemorial- there were Roman salting
tanks next to the Fort of São João de Arade-,
it had defensive walls in the Middle Ages, vestiges of which
are still visible today. It has preserved its original character,
with rows of houses cascading down to the river, crowned by
the outline of the church high on the hill, and pretty streets
of whitewashed walls and roofs intersected by decorated chimneys.
Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição The architecture
of this building is typical of a country church. The 14th century
altars display a worthy array of 17th and 18th century statues.
In the sacristy there is a two sided representation of Our
Lady and Christ on the Cross, possibly from the 15th century
and a 16th century São Sebastião. There is a
collection of sailors' fishermen's "ex-votos" painted naïf
style and depicting the miracles performed by the church's
patroness. There are small panels of figurative tiles inside
and outside the church. From the churchyard there is a magnificent
view of the sea, the Arade River and the city of Portimão.
It is long time since the fisherman readied their nets for the fray
and set off from Carvoeiro beach in their boats to hunt for tuna. But
the houses still curve around over the port where the colourful fishing
boats chug back and forth and the fisherman continue to eke out a living
as they have since the first settlements. But today's Carvoeiro is
also an international tourist resort. Perched on the top of a cliff
are the vestiges of the walls of the fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
revered by fisherman. Nearby do the wind and sea, and the romantic
Lovers´ Balcony sculpt rock formations of Algar Seco, strange
shapes and profiles. On days when the tide is high, the sea turns the
many fissures and hollows into booming organ pipes.
A naval battle took place off Cape Carvoeiro in 1554. A Portuguese
flotilla attacked the Turkish corsair Xaramet, who was ravaging the
Algarve coast, and destroyed his fleet.
A short way from this typical Algarve village sitting atop a hill,
there once stood an old Roman and medieval settlement known as Porches
Velhos with possibly gave rise to the present community. In one of
its narrow streets a chimney of monumental proportions, two storeys
high is to be found, and this has become a symbol of the village as
a whole.
The church was built in the 19th century on the site of a previous
edifice dating from the 16th century of which the main chapel remains,
clad in tiles, with a ribbed vault. The retable of the main chapel
is carved and gilded, with statues (18th century). Among the religious
artifacts is a monstrance in gilded copper.
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Built on a narrow tongue of rock extending into
the sea, its origin (6th/18th centuries) and the hermitage
incorporates stones from earlier Roman Medieval buildings
located in the surrounding area. Its architectural
structure is very interesting and it is topped with
and octagonal cupola. In side there is a valuable statue
of the patroness (Virgin and Child) from the 16th century.
The hermitage used to be surrounded by an old coastal
defence fort that was built in the 15th century, which
was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.
Some way further off are to be found the ruins of the Roman dam of
Ponte dos Mouros.
Two beaches next
to Ferragudo separated
by the Fort of São
João de Arade.
On Angrinha beach
there are facilities
for windsurfing and
canoeing.
A small beach where the water is calm and protected.
Situated between cliffs of great beauty. Opposite, the colourful
rock of Leixão das Gaivotas. Very tranquil.
Access is difficult
and normally by boat
only.
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The charm of the fishermen's beach and a small bay with crystal
clear water. A cosmopolitan tourist centre. Boats can be hired to
visit caves and isolated beaches.
Scenic location
between rocks and
cliffs. Good conditions
for surfing.
Charming beach
next to a pretty
fishing village.
It is possible to
hire boats to get
to isolated beaches.
Stretch of sand
between ochre cliffs.
Very peaceful and
has tourist facilities.
A series of small beaches, which can be reached along the coast by
way of rocks and natural tunnels.
Two beaches separated
by the spur of rock
on which stands the
Chapel of Nossa Senhora
da Rocha. but connected
by a tunnel. It is
possible to hire
boats to explore
the coast or get
to isolated beaches.
Small and charming
beach between cliffs.
Have tourist facilities.
