Sagres (Vila do Bispo)

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Template: Infobox city in Portugal / Maintenance / Web page is blank Sagres [ saɣɾɯʃ ] is a Portuguese parish in the Western Algarve, near the Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. The village belongs to the district of Vila do Bispo, had on 30 June 2011 1 900 inhabitants and an area of 34.3 km ². He is also the Parque Natural do Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, a nature reserve which runs along the entire south-western coast of Portugal.

Legendary Maritime Academy

Due to its exposed location, the place in earlier centuries served as the starting point for many cruises. In the so-called Maritime Academy allegedly founded in the 15th century ( escola náutica ) of Prince Henry the Navigator, then governor of the Algarve, it is however a legend of later centuries, such as Portuguese historians have already proved the beginning of the last century. The actual training of sailors took place in Lisbon and Lagos substantially.

The southern border of the then -researched area was Cape Bojador, about 27 ° N to the west coast of Africa, the Cape of No Return. Were feared sea monster behind and burns. The first modern European to it circled and came back, 1434 Gil Eanes from Lagos.

Forts

South-west of Sagres on a one -kilometer-long and 300 meters wide headland with steep cliffs of Ponta de Sagres, is the Fort ' Fortaleza de Sagres ', a national monument of paramount importance. Within this fortress is one only in 1928 exposed, famous stone circle, whose age and purpose is unclear. The circle is divided into 42 fields and with a diameter of 43 m is interpreted as a wind rose (Rosa dos Ventos ), but could also have been a sundial. All agree, however, is that he comes from the time of Henry the Navigator.

North of it is on the tipping above the beach Praia de Beliche a smaller fort, Fortaleza de Beliche, which was destroyed in 1587 by the soldiers of Francis Drake, except for the small chapel of Santa Catharina. After 1755 large earthquake and subsequent tsunami was again destroyed in 1632 and rebuilt by that, it was over 200 years in ruins. This earthquake had by today's estimates a thickness of about nine on the Richter scale and its epicenter was only 200 km southwest of Cabo de São Vicente in the Atlantic. It was one of the most destructive natural disasters in European history. The Fortaleza de Beliche was restored in 1960 for the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator.

Lighthouse

At Cabo de São Vicente is a large lighthouse, which applies 90 kilometer nominal significance as the strongest in Europe. The lighthouse can be visited from time to time.

Tourism

In the 1980s and 1990s still an insider tip for individualists, dropouts and relaxation seekers, surfers brought life and money into the place, but he has not lost his calm, although there are now evening entertainment. Since 1998 was built very much in Sagres, it emerged - the nature adapted - Hotels and accommodations in all price ranges.

Attractions

  • The Fort ' Fortaleza de Sagres ' (only the tower and walls have survived ), is located on a 1000 m long, 300 m wide rock, Ponta de Sagres.
  • The Fort ' Fortaleza do Cabo de São Vicente ' the former monastery ' Convento do Corvo '
  • The Fort ' Fortaleza de Belixe ' or ' Fortaleza de Santo António do Belixe '
  • The Fort ' Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Guia ' or ' Forte da Baleeira '
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