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Sagres on the
western
Algarve in Portugal
is a relatively remote town situated on a windswept
headland.
The town,
which is today little more than a village with only a
cluster of small streets in it's centre, played a key
role in the age of discoveries, Portugal's golden era.
Sagres
was chosen
by Prince Henry the Navigator in the 15th century to be
the site of his maritime school. |
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The
prince gathered cartographers, astronomers and
shipwrights all in the pursuit of maritime research and
exploration. His key aim was to discover a route to the
Orient, which was believed to exist. Thanks to Prince
Henry's dedication and foresight the islands of Porto
Santo and the Azores were 'discovered' and colonised. It is
little wonder Prince Henry selected
Sagres
for his school location. With it's massive natural harbour
Prince Henry
was able to accommodate many of his Caravels (type of
boat) at
Sagres.
Unfortunately nothing remains of Prince Henry's maritime
school partly due to the actions of Sir Francis Drake,
who on returning from raids on neighbouring Spain in
1537, set fire to the village and sacked the Prince's
famed library. |
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Rocky
cliffs at Sagres |
Rosa
dos Ventos |
Neoclassical Entrance to Fort |
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The
Prince's Forteleza de Baleeira (Fort of Sagres)
still exists and you can't help but notice it on
approach to this small town. Situated on a large promontory
south of the actual town of
Sagres, the
fortified walls stretch the full width of the headland.
Leading
to the Forteleza there is a large car park providing
visitors with ample places to park, and take a stroll to
the massive entrance of the fort. The Porta da Praca
gateway, which provides entry to the fort, was modified
in the 18th century and bears the coat of arms of the
then governor and captain general of the Kingdom of the
Algarve, Dom Nuno José Fulgênico João Nepomuceno de
Mendonça e Moura.
Inside
the fort itself you can wander around the wide open
spaces. There are some of the original buildings
remaining and some new, contemporary additions. In pride
of place to the left of the central, fortified turret,
which sits atop the entrance, is the Rosa dos Ventos,
which is believed to be Prince Henry the Navigator's
15th century wind compass. The compass, with it's 48
stone tiers, was unearthed in 1921 during excavations
beneath a church.
You can
also wander to the promontory's headland, Ponta de
Sagres, where on a good, clear day there are good
views across the ocean to
Cabo São Vicente. |
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View to
Sagres |
Rusted
Cannons at the Ready |
Praia
do Martinhal |
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In
Sagres
itself there is a
variety of small shops offering souvenirs and a
smattering of traditional restaurants and cafes though
little else, aside from the harbour and the town's
beaches, all of which are a relatively short, but
exhilarating walks away from the centre of town.
The least crowded of
the beaches is Praia do Martinhal, which is a favoured
spot for wind surfers, though is also an excellent spot
to sit, relax and sip a coffee or two in the restaurant
overlooking the beach. Surfers looking to test their
mettle choose the wilder Praia do Tonel, which is west
of the fort. Anyone venturing into the sea at
Sagres
though will have
to beware as there are strong currents on all of the
beaches
Sagres
is an interesting
place to visit, but best done on a relatively warm day
as the winds can cool the air temperature quite a lot.
If you are thinking of visiting
Sagres
it is best done by
car and takes around an hour from
Lagos. There are buses
which run from
Lagos for those without independent
transport and these stop beside the Praça da
Republica in the town centre. |
Location Map of Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
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View Sagres, Algarve, Portugal in a larger map |
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