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Sagres is in the most southwest corner of continental europe.
Why was it long thought to be the End of the World?...
Did the Infante D. Henrique Nautical School ever existed?
Some history...
The word Sagres comes from the Latin “Sacris”, meaning "sacred". Many old texts refer to this land as “Finis Terrae”, due to the steep rocky walls falling into the sea, determining the end of the land and the beginning of the unknown, the myths.
Sagres and the S. Vincent Cape – the Promontorium Sacrum for the ancient – were places of intense sacramentalism, proven by the presence of numerous Neolithic menhirs. Since it was thought to be frequented by gods, the occurrence of ancient religious ceremonies is described, as well as the prohibition of people’s presence during the night.
But Sagres enters definitely to the History and to the Old Legend of the World after the III Millennium b.C. when sailors from the Mediterranean started trading products coming from the Far East. Sagres was the last harbour that one navigating from the east could find, before adventuring the passage of the mighty St. Vincent Cape.
In 779, following the religious sacramentalism of the place, the mortal remains of St. Vincent, the martyr from Saragoza, where brought from Valencia (Spain) to the Promontorium Sacrum.
Three centuries later, in the middle age, Infante D. Henrique founded a village (Vila do Infante) and a fortress in Sagres headland, in order to support navigation and fishery. Contrarily to what is said, this place did not have a direct relationship to the Discoveries. The same applies to the famous Infante D. Henrique Nautical School, which was more a myth than reality.
In this area, the Algarve coast has two great patrimonies: Cape St. Vincent (Pontal dos Corvos and Pontal gordo) and Sagres headlands (Pontal da Atalaia and Pontal de Sagres). The bay between Ponta de Sagres and Ponta Atalaia sheltered ships from the winds during centuries, where they remained waiting for better climatic conditions before continuing their navigation. It is a natural paradise, of high strategic and historical importance, an essential reference of European geography.
It's in this scenario, where history gains life, that many botanists and birdwatchers observe the unique local fauna and flora. It has privileged conditions for the practice of surf and windsurf. It seduces their visitants due to the diversity of suggestive scenarios, where the feral and soft or the beauty and wild mix together, as if it was still unexplored, sculptured by the winds and Atlantic waves, inviting one to its discovery. It's a passionate Portuguese area due to its magical colours: the green of the flora, the blue of the ocean, the white of the houses and the red of the sun. It has many visitors during the summer months, but its lovers come over year round.
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Socio-economics and cultural characteristics of the Southwest coast
The littoral southwest between Mira river estuary and Sagres headland have always been scarcely occupied, even if visited by several populations since pre-history, taking their subsistence from the sea. Rocky and steep, lacking good harbours and arable fields, this shore area did not give rise to any significant population in terms of dimension. Some fishing industry was present in the algarvian southwest coast, mainly through “almadravas”, which were placed in proper places (such as Arrifana or St. Vincent ). In those places, between XVI and XVIII centuries, forts were built in order to protect fisherman and fishing gear from maghreb pirates.
The socio-economical and cultural characteristics from this territory do not differ much from the majority of the interior regions of our country. Generally, these have in common the fact of being agricultural areas, with well preserved rural landscapes, poor accessibilities and well preserved traditions and culture; on the other hand, presenting aged populations, week business initiatives, unemployment and insufficient socio-cultural structures. The highly environmental quality of the Southwest coast, its wild beaches and rural roads promote tourism, but still very seasonally, creating pressures for accommodation structures far from a sustainable development model.
Fishing
Today the southwest coast fishermen go to the sea in small fishing boats of 4 to 6m long, with outboard engines and some orientation instruments such as sounders. Usually they form two men campaigns and use traditional fishing gear such as traps, longline and net. They catch octopus, lobster, moray eel and white seabream, among other, making this coast one of the election places for the consumption of fish and seafood. Agriculture
Nowadays the southwest littoral has intensive agriculture, with exporting characteristics and with enormous needs of technical and technological inputs. The agriculture is made in family and traditionally, where cultural practices and cattle handling still comply with subsistence communities’ know-how.
Gastronomy
Although similar to the remaining region, the gastronomy is diverse and extremely rich. Near the coast it is mainly based on fresh fish as seabream, bass, european hake, sole, red mullet, etc., and the famous goose barnacle. Typical dishes are the fish stew, octopus or clams rice, fish soup or stewed pork. In the sweets, almond and figs confectionery await you.
Arts & crafts
Wood, palm, ceramics and traditional sewing, as well as confectionery, are examples of the artisan activity of the region. The traditional wool classing and fleece spinning is still alive and sweaters, socks or gloves are still produced, mainly to be used by seamen. These may be found in the monthly markets and small summer fests of Vila do Bispo County.
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Where is it ?
Sagres is the most southwest village of continental Europe, located in Portugal, in the Algarve region (Faro district, Vila do Bispo County). It is 30km distance from Lagos, the closest town, and 115km from Faro.
How to get there ?
 Distance to Airports:
| Lisbon - Sagres |
280 Km |
| Oporto - Sagres |
580 Km |
| Faro - Sagres |
120 Km |
With your own transport:
Public Transports:
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Edited in 2007. Credits:
websites: IPPAR; ICN; ANTEMARE
Garcia, J.M & Cunha, R. (2004). "Sagres". (ISBN: 972-9044-17-1)
Roteiro Turístico Terras do Infante |
Albufeira