Estombar
An urban centre defended by a castle during the Arab period,
it had a thriving economy based on salt production and trade
along the Arade river.
It was the birthplace of the Moslem poet Ibne-Ammar (11th century)
and also the homeland of the warrior guerrilla 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.
Church of Sant'Iago (St. James)
Built in the 16th century, it was extensively rebuilt in the
18th century. Its facade shows the influence of the "rocaille'
style, with two towers and a Manueline doorway (16th century).
There is another Manueline portal on the south facade. 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
(Ascension), the tympanum (Resurrection), the main chapel (Sant'Iago
- St. James - fighting the floors, the battle of Lepanto and
scenes from the Gospels) and 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, including an Indo-Portuguese Crucifixion
in ivory (17th century) and a São Manuel (St. Manuel) (16th
century). The Chapel of the Senhor Jesus Crucificado (Lord Jesus
Crucified) (16th century) contains renaissance medallions of
São Pedro (St. Peter) and São Paulo (St. Paul). Misericórdia
(Mercy) One of the first founded in Portugal, it had a working
hospital as early as 1531. Its facade and interior are plain.
18th century main altar and statues.
There are other places of interest nearby which are worth
a visit. Sítio das Fontes This peaceful spot, located on a branch
of the Arade river, consists of an eco-museum (an old mill,
miller's house and waterwheel), an environmental education area
and a leisure area with a picnic park and an open-air auditorium.
Ibne-Ammar's Cave Situated next to the Arade river.
Archaeological remains from the Stone and Bronze Ages have
been found here. Parchel Monastery 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
sepulchres and monks' cells. A Roman archaeological site has
been set up nearby. Hermitage of Santo António (St. Anthony)
Located in the vicinity of Mexilhoeira da Carregação, on a hill,
it possesses an excellent view over the Arade river.
Ferragudo
A fishing village since time immemorial, there were Roman salting
tanks next to the Fort of São Jodão de Arade, defensive walls
were built in the Middle Ages, and remains are still visible
today. Ferragudo 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. The village
has recently undergone some restoration, with the fort having
a facelift, and the promises of a new super marina.
Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the
Conception)
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 Sebastian (St. Sebastian). There
is a collection of sailors' and fishermen's "ex-votos", painted
in a "naïf' style and depicting the miracles performed by the
church's patroness. There are small panels of figurative tiles
inside and outside the church (18th century). From the churchyard
there is a magnificent view of the sea, the Arade river and
the city of Portimão.
Fort of São João de Arade
With the facing fortress of Santa Catarina, this fort constituted
the main defence of the Arade estuary. It began life as a lookout
tower in the 15th century and was extended in the 17th and 18th
centuries. A great deal of work was done at the beginning of
the 20th century to turn it into a home, at the initiative of
the poet Coelho Carvalho, and it is to this that it owes its
current romantic appearance. It is now private properly. Along
the coast, where tiny beaches of great beauty are tucked away
between looming cliffs, the remains c two medieval watchtowers,
which were once used to give warning of attacks by pirates and
corsairs, can be seen at Ponte da Atalaia and Quinta da Torre.
Porches
A short way away from this typical Algarve village sitting atop
a hill there stood an old Roman an medieval settlement known;
Porches Velhos which 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 villa as a whole.
Main Church
The church was built in the 19th century on the site of 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 artefacts is a monstrance in gilded copper.
Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Rocha (Our Lady of the Rock) Built
on a narrow tongue of rock extending into the sea, its origins
are lost in time.
One of the capitals of the narthex is visigothic in origin (6th/8th
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 an octagonal cupola.
Inside 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 (built in the 15th century) which
was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.
Some way further off are to he found the ruins of the Roman
dam of Ponte dos Mouros.
Carvoeiro
It is a long tune since the fishermen 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
fishermen continue to eke out a living as they have done since
time immemorial. 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 (Our
Lady of the Conception) (17th century). Inside the fort lies
the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Our Lady of the
Incarnation), revered by fishermen.
Nearby are the rock formations of Algar Seco, strange shapes
and profiles sculpted by the wind and sea, and the romantic
Lovers' Balcony.
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.
Popular Crafts
In Lagoa, crafts means ceramics, so strong is the tradition
of pottery and so many the techniques used to work, decorate
and fire clay. Dominated by turquoises and blues, which recall
the sea, the charm of pottery from Lagoa lies in its colours
and its shapes.
Other crafts are also to be found in Lagoa and the surrounding
area. From the construction of miniature fishing boats and decorated
Algarve carts, to needlework, embroidered linen, dried flower
arrangements, wooden chairs, wool and cloth dolls, miniatures
made with shells, paintings on textiles, tapestry, wrought iron
and, as found throughout the Algarve, delicate woven rush work,
left its natural tone or tinted with vegetable colours: baskets,
small bags, mats etc.
Watersports
The many beaches of the Lagoa area are ideal places to windsurf,
sail, dive, waterski and surf. For exciting, active holidays.
The Pleasures of Sun and Sea Viewed from the sea, the coast
is a series of brightly coloured cliffs, strangely shaped outcrops
and caves, whose almost unreal beauty is set off by the clarity
of the waters. Between the rocks long stretches of sand alternate
with tiny coves that can only be reached by boat.
Angrinha and Praia Grande
Two beaches next to Ferragudo separated by the Fort of São João
de Arade. On Angrinha beach there are facilities for windsurfing
and canoeing.
Pintadinho
A small beach where the water is calm.
Caneiros
Situated between cliffs of great beauty. Opposite, the colourful
rock of Leixão das Gaivotas. Very tranquil. Mato Little visited.
Access difficult.
Carvoeiro
The charm of a 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.
Vale de Centeanes
Scenic location between rocks and cliffs. Good conditions for
surfing.
Benagil
Charming beach next to a pretty fishing village. It is possible
to hire boats to get to isolated beaches.
Carvalho
Stretch of sand between ochre cliffs. Peaceful. Tourist facilities.
Marinha, Barranquinho, Albandeira and Barranco
A series of small beaches which can be reached along the coast
by way of rocks and natural tunnels. Little visited and quiet.
Praia Nova and Nossa Senhora da Rocha
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.
Cova Redonda
Small and charming beach between cliffs. Tourist facilities.
Food and Wine
The tradition of cultivating the vine in the Algarve is over
a thousand years old and continued even during the centuries
of Moorish occupation. It is no surprise then that this region
produces good wines and that Lagoa, with its sandy soils and
particular ecosystem, is at the heart of this production.
The white and red wines of Lagoa are fragrant, light and smooth,
redolent of the sunshine of the Algarve. Dry and sweet aperitif
wines are also made from local grape varieties. But man does
not live by wine alone And so Lagoa offers not only the simple
delights of grilled sardine, but mouth-watering fish soups flavoured
with bay, fish stews, horse mackerel with lime, white beans
with whelks, corn pap with cockles or sardines, baked octopus
and such enchanting local meat dishes as ox tail with chickpeas
and Moorish lamb, reminders of a heritage that has never been
forgotten.
In the realm of cakes and sweets, Lagoa offers the typical
"morgadinhos" of the Algarve - almond paste in the shape of
animals, flowers and other objects, puddings made with juicy
Algarve oranges, pumpkin cake and almond-flavoured "florados".
Practical
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