Lagos
History
The Romans gave the name of >Lacobriga< to the town but its
natural river port would indicate very much earlier occupation. The Moors then
gave the town the name of "Zawaia" It was captured from the Moors in 1189 but it
was not until 1249 that it was finally conquered by Dom Afonso III and
integrated into the kingdom of Portugal with the name of "Lagus". This historic
town has played an important part in the story of discovery of many parts of the
world. It was from the harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic
and epic voyage of discovery. Lagos was the capital of the Algarve from 1578
until 1756 and there remain several ancient buildings to testify to its historic
glory. From its Port maritime expeditions were embarked upon to discover the
world at the orders of Prince Henry the Navigator. Also, the Armada of 800
vessels led by the ill-fated heir to the throne Dom Sebastião embarked from
Lagos in 1578 to capture the town of Ceuta in Morocco.
It is written that the very first time the famous explorer Columbus from Genoa
set foot in the Iberian Peninsular, was when the inhabitants of Lagos saved him
and other sailors from the shipwreck of a vessel in which he was sailing.
Another interesting fact is that Francis Drake in 1587 failed in his attempt to
raid Lagos and then sailed on to Sagres to sack the occasional historic home of
Henry the Navigator".
Lagos - Description
Essentially now an important tourist town there are still many architectural
signs of its ancient past, even a building dating originally back to around 1445
which is recorded as being Europe?s first building used as a slave market. The
walls of the town in the most part remain after sections were restored. Attached
to the famous 17th Century "gold" church of Santo António there is a small
museum of regional items, some of which are quite odd!
There are several interesting statues erected to the famous figures of the past
that are associated with the history of this town. None more controversial that
the sculpture of Dom Sebastião standing in the main square in front of the Town
Hall. A more recent statue commemorates the Algarve?s only Saint, São Gonçalo de
Lagos, who was born in 1360 and died in 1422 in Torres Vedras. Pope Pio VI
raised him to Sainthood in 1778. The town?s more recently constructed Marina
presents a lovely picture and this harbour is practically the first sight a
visitor has of Lagos. Besides the boats that find it convenient as a permanent
mooring it is usually full of yachts passing on the way or returning from the
Mediterranean and the Americas. At the entrance to the harbour is the "Forte da
Bandeira" which was constructed in the 17th Century.
The municipal council has constructed near to the centre of the town thereis a
reasonably modern Cultural Centre in which various exhibitions and culturally
related events are held during the year. In the Marina visitors will find
different boat tours, yacht hire, and deep sea-fishing outings that can be
booked.
Lagos - Nearby Locations
To the east and across the river from Lagos is Meia Praia, a very long sandy
beach sheltered to the north by a gentle slope dotted with comfortable villas.
To the west of Lagos the once upon a time fishing village of Praia da Luz is now
devoted to the quieter side of the tourist trade and is the home of many
residents from the colder northern climates. Further to the west is a another
small fishermen's beach village of Burgau. Moving even further west is the
coastal village of Salema. Here will be found some small Roman ruins proving the
existence of its past importance.
The furthest west town is Vila do Bispo and is a very small administrative town
for the Sagres area, the later being the most south-west corner of Europe! This
area is a must for every visitor to the Algarve as it presents a very impressive
and dramatic sight of towering sheer cliffs being beaten by the weight of the
vast Atlantic Ocean. It is from here that Prince Henry sat and planned the
several epic voyages of discovery that enlarged the known world of that time.
Cape Santo Vicente is the name given to this promontory as it was here that
fable has it that the Saint supposedly landed and decided to reside here for a
period.
To the north of Lagos on the road to Lisbon is the small town country town of
Aljezur with some fine nearby west coast beaches. Originally a hamlet, the Moors
constructed a castle in the 10th Century whose ruin still stands today
overlooking this town.
Lagos
Events
29th and 30th July - Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets)
May - Feira Coral do Algarve (Choral)
August - Feira da Gastronomia (Food)
15th August - Feira de N. Sra. Da Glória
12th October - Feira de Outubro
27th October - Feira de S. Gonçalo
22nd to 24th November - Feira Franca de Lagos
Useful
Lagos Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 282 762 055
Fire Brigade - 282 760 115
Police - 282 762 809
Hospital - 282 763 034
Emergency Treatment - 282 771 000
Ambulance - 282 760 115
Tourist Office - 282 763 031
Useful Lagos Facts
Distance from Faro Airport - 82 Kms
Town Holidays - 27th October
Postal Code - 8600
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