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Cabo de São Vincente (“Cape St. Vincent”)
Coast line, Sagres, PT
Coast line, Sagres, PT
Chapel in fortress, Sagres, PT
Sagres is close to the most southerly western point of Europe known as Cape St. Vincent. The legend of the martyr Saint Vincent is that his relics were mysteriously transported by ravens from the Holy Land to the Cape and subsequently guarded by them. In 1173 the ravens reputedly then moved the relics to Lisbon where they remain to this day.
wind chill factor in august needs consideration its freezing!!!!! but you'll get a great tan! all surfers appeared to be in winter style wetsuits. too cold for biting insects in summer!! bring the best - true eye candy sleep on the beach
The red sandstone cliffs of the south coast stage a gloriously vivid ochre finale before being superseded by a mixture of hard limestone and jagged black slate up the west coast. Those in the know rate Sagres’ beaches among the best in the world and Europe’s surfers make annual pilgrimages. The nearest beach to Sagres is Praia da Mareta, just below the central square, a long beach with large slabs of rock to bask on.
The Praia da Mareta is an approximately one-third mile (600 m) long, flat bathing beach situated below the town. The Praia da Mareta lies in a bay sheltered from the wind; therefore sunbathing, playing and bathing with children is possible here. However, the composition of the beach - sand or pebbles - always depends on the wind and sea conditions. There are parking spaces situated above the beach, as well as restaurants and boat hire
Just prior to entering Sagres, and 5 miles (8 km) from Vila de Bispo on the EN 125, one will encounter a turnoff to the left clearly marked Praia do Martinhal. It is surrounded by sand dunes but only experienced and capable swimmers should attempt swimming as the unprotected bay and local winds can make conditions quite difficult at times. Often this is an ideal location for surfing that makes it very popular with windsurfers.
To the west is Tonel beach, beloved of surfers with its giant breakers and soft sand. Tonel beach is near the old Fortaleza and its lighthouse. It seems to be an ideal spot for fishing and diving but be careful when it is windy or wet as there are steep rock formations that could cause the unwary much grief. In summer it is supervised by experienced lifeguards as the currents can also pose some danger to inexperienced swimmers. You get to Tonel beach by turning right at the first roundabout in Sagres and following the road to Cape St. Vincent.
this little gothic church inside the fortress is dedicated to the virgin of Guadalupe. I though that maybe as it was an area dedicated to the sailors, the Virgin may had been virgin of Carmen (virgin and protector of the sailors), but not…
In olden days, in the south of Portugal and especially in the area of Sagres and Lagos, the decorative chimneys on the homes were used as a gauge to show comparative wealth of the families living inside the home.
The more ornate the chimney was then obviously the more wealth the family had.
Nowadays, the chimneys on the modern structures are all inexpensive and prefabricated –although still decorative - so they have lost that old time, unique identifying quality. But you will still notice that the folks here like to decorate their chimneys in the old fashion.
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