SAGRES, ALGARVE
Sagres, town in the Algarve, is situated within a few kilometres of Europe’s most south western point Cape St. Vincent. Original town bore the full brunt of the 1755 earthquake.
From the tip of Ponta de Sagres there are great views up the coast to Cabo Sao Vicente.
Today the cape is better known for its lighthouse. It was built in 1846 to guard one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. It is the second most powerful lighthouse in Europe. Its two 1000-watt lamps can be seen up to 60 kilometers away.
It is however the history makes Sagres worth to visit.
In the 15th century Prince Henry the Navigator was a central figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and in the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion. He chose Sagres as his home and location of his school of navigation.
Fernao de Magalhaes (Magellan), Pedro Alvares Cabral and Vasco da Gama are known to the world thanks to this school. It was the time when and where Portugal’s age of The Discoveries started and helped define the nation’s identity.
Patron of Portuguese exploration, Henry the Navigator is regarded as the main initiator of the Age of Discovery and one of the greatest memories of that time is the Navigator’s Fortaleza located in the north of the town.
Sagres is also known for its dramatic coastline and beautiful beaches, popular among sunbathers and surfers.
Praia de Beliche, a small, sheltered beach just to the north of the town.
Praia do Martinhal is just outside Sagres to the east. It is a white sandy beach surrounded by dunes.
This part of the Algarve is one of the most renowned sunset locations in the world.
