Tuesday 22nd April 2025.
Cabo de Sao Vincente is the most westerly point of the Algarve although not quite the most westerly point of Continental Europe. It has always been the very last piece of land seen by sailors from Southern Portugal going into the ocean.There were fortifications on the point built in XV1 Century but these were devastated by an earthquake in 1755.Today there is a lighthouse on the site that came into operation in 1846.
Sadly you are not allowed into the lighthouse and considering its geographical position there are no great placards or information boards about it.
We drove a short distance from there to The Fortaleza Sagres which is located at the southern tip of the Sagre Peninsular and this uniquely designed fort protected the town from raiders from North Africa. The fort only has a wall on one side as the other three sides consist of 60m vertical cliffs, there were strategically placed gun points looking out to sea from where cannons could fire out at ships. It was this fort that Henry the Navigator devised his 15c expeditions around the west coast of Africa.
When we left the area and turned north for the first time in 16 days we headed to a good looking site only to find it closed as it had no electricity, after a quick conflab we decided to head further north to Odeceixe where we are staying tonight, even that wasn’t simple as the main road to the site was closed for repairs and we had to do a weird diversion through the town and out of town for a few miles before heading back to the site, I was glad to park for the night.
After tea Alison, Michelle and I went for a wander around the village and it turned out to quite interesting and larger than we thought.
Lots of opportunity for keep fit and interesting statues.
taraabit 