Getting to Know

Lagoa

No. of inhabitants: 20, 651.
Area 88,9 (Km2)

Estombar
An urban centre defended by a castle during the Arab period, it had a thriving economy based on salt production and trade along the Arade river.
It was the birthplace of the Moslem poet Ibne-Ammar (11th century) and also the homeland of the warrior guerrilla leader (1796-1838) who for many years struck fear into the heart of all in the Algarve.
The historical centre retains the charm of a typical Algarve town, and has some interesting chimneys.

Church of Sant'Iago (St. James)
Built in the 16th century, it was extensively rebuilt in the 18th century. Its facade shows the influence of the "rocaille' style, with two towers and a Manueline doorway (16th century).
There is another Manueline portal on the south facade. The interior has three naves with three chapels at its head. Two interesting and rare columns survive from the original Manueline church, with sculpted shafts depicting scenes from everyday life.

Other interesting features include: a valuable series of figurative tile panels from the 18th century, the arch of the main chapel (Ascension), the tympanum (Resurrection), the main chapel (Sant'Iago - St. James - fighting the floors, the battle of Lepanto and scenes from the Gospels) and side chapels.

There are gilded carved retables in the main and other chapels. There is an important collection of 17th and 18th century statues on the altars and high choir, including an Indo-Portuguese Crucifixion in ivory (17th century) and a São Manuel (St. Manuel) (16th century). The Chapel of the Senhor Jesus Crucificado (Lord Jesus Crucified) (16th century) contains renaissance medallions of São Pedro (St. Peter) and São Paulo (St. Paul). Misericórdia (Mercy) One of the first founded in Portugal, it had a working hospital as early as 1531. Its facade and interior are plain. 18th century main altar and statues.

There are other places of interest nearby which are worth a visit. Sítio das Fontes This peaceful spot, located on a branch of the Arade river, consists of an eco-museum (an old mill, miller's house and waterwheel), an environmental education area and a leisure area with a picnic park and an open-air auditorium. Ibne-Ammar's Cave Situated next to the Arade river.

Archaeological remains from the Stone and Bronze Ages have been found here. Parchel Monastery Near Calvário, Founded in the 17th century, it was not rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755. Remains of murals and tiles are to be seen, along with sepulchres and monks' cells. A Roman archaeological site has been set up nearby. Hermitage of Santo António (St. Anthony) Located in the vicinity of Mexilhoeira da Carregação, on a hill, it possesses an excellent view over the Arade river.

Ferragudo
A fishing village since time immemorial - there were Roman salting tanks next to the Fort of São Jodão de Arade -, it had defensive walls in the Middle Ages, vestiges of which are still visible today. It has preserved its original character, with rows of houses cascading down to the river, crowned by the outline of the church high on the hill, and pretty streets of whitewashed walls and roofs intersected by decorated chimneys.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception)
The architecture of this building is typical of a country church. The 14th century altars display a worthy array of 17th and 18th century statues. In the sacristy there is a two-sided representation of Our Lady and Christ on the Cross, possibly from the 15th century, and a 16th century São Sebastian (St. Sebastian). There is a collection of sailors' and fishermen's "ex-votos", painted in a "naïf' style and depicting the miracles performed by the church's patroness. There are small panels of figurative tiles inside and outside the church (18th century). From the churchyard there is a magnificent view of the sea, the Arade river and the city of Portimão.

Fort of São João de Arade
With the facing fortress of Santa Catarina, this fort constituted the main defence of the Arade estuary. It began life as a lookout tower in the 15th century and was extended in the 17th and 18th centuries. A great deal of work was done at the beginning of the 20th century to turn it into a home, at the initiative of the poet Coelho Carvalho, and it is to this that it owes its current romantic appearance. It is now private properly. Along the coast, where tiny beaches of great beauty are tucked away between looming cliffs, the remains c two medieval watchtowers, which were once used to give warning of attacks by pirates and corsairs, can be seen at Ponte da Atalaia and Quinta da Torre.

Porches
A short way away from this typical Algarve village sitting atop a hill there stood an old Roman an medieval settlement known; Porches Velhos which possibly gave rise to the present community. In one of its narrow streets a chimney of monumental proportions, two storeys high, is to be found, and this has become a symbol of the villa as a whole.

Main Church
The church was built in the 19th century on the site of previous edifice dating from the 16th century, of which the main chapel remains, clad in tiles, with a ribbed vault. The retable of the main chapel is carved and gilded, with statues (18th century).
Among the religious artefacts is a monstrance in gilded copper. Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Rocha (Our Lady of the Rock) Built on a narrow tongue of rock extending into the sea, its origins are lost in time.
One of the capitals of the narthex is visigothic in origin (6th/8th centuries) and the hermitage incorporates stones from earlier Roman/medieval buildings located in the surrounding area. Its architectural structure is very interesting and it is topped with an octagonal cupola.
Inside there is a valuable statue of the patroness (Virgin and Child) from the 16th century. The hermitage used to be surrounded by an old coastal defence fort (built in the 15th century) which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.
Some way further off are to he found the ruins of the Roman dam of Ponte dos Mouros.

Carvoeiro
It is a long tune since the fishermen readied their nets for the fray and set off from Carvoeiro beach in their boats to hunt for tuna. But the houses still curve around over the port where the colourful fishing boats chug back and forth and the fishermen continue to eke out a living as they have done since time immemorial. But today's Carvoeiro is also an international tourist resort. Perched on the top of a cliff are the vestiges of the walls of the fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception) (17th century). Inside the fort lies the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Our Lady of the Incarnation), revered by fishermen.
Nearby are the rock formations of Algar Seco, strange shapes and profiles sculpted by the wind and sea, and the romantic Lovers' Balcony.
On days when the tide is high, the sea turns the many fissures and hollows into booming organ pipes. A naval battle took place off Cape Carvoeiro in 1554. A Portuguese flotilla attacked the Turkish corsair Xaramet, who was ravaging the Algarve coast, and destroyed his fleet.

Popular Crafts
In Lagoa, crafts means ceramics, so strong is the tradition of pottery and so many the techniques used to work, decorate and fire clay. Dominated by turquoises and blues, which recall the sea, the charm of pottery from Lagoa lies in its colours and its shapes.

Other crafts are also to be found in Lagoa and the surrounding area. From the construction of miniature fishing boats and decorated Algarve carts, to needlework, embroidered linen, dried flower arrangements, wooden chairs, wool and cloth dolls, miniatures made with shells, paintings on textiles, tapestry, wrought iron and, as found throughout the Algarve, delicate woven rush work, left its natural tone or tinted with vegetable colours: baskets, small bags, mats etc.

Watersports
The many beaches of the Lagoa area are ideal places to windsurf, sail, dive, waterski and surf. For exciting, active holidays. The Pleasures of Sun and Sea Viewed from the sea, the coast is a series of brightly coloured cliffs, strangely shaped outcrops and caves, whose almost unreal beauty is set off by the clarity of the waters. Between the rocks long stretches of sand alternate with tiny coves that can only be reached by boat.

Angrinha and Praia Grande
Two beaches next to Ferragudo separated by the Fort of São João de Arade. On Angrinha beach there are facilities for windsurfing and canoeing.

Pintadinho
A small beach where the water is calm.

Caneiros Situated between cliffs of great beauty. Opposite, the colourful rock of Leixão das Gaivotas. Very tranquil. Mato Little visited. Access difficult.

Carvoeiro
The charm of a fishermen's beach and a small bay with crystal clear water. A cosmopolitan tourist centre. Boats can be hired to visit caves and isolated beaches.

Vale de Centeanes
Scenic location between rocks and cliffs. Good conditions for surfing.

Benagil
Charming beach next to a pretty fishing village. It is possible to hire boats to get to isolated beaches.

Carvalho
Stretch of sand between ochre cliffs. Peaceful. Tourist facilities.

Marinha, Barranquinho, Albandeira and Barranco
A series of small beaches which can be reached along the coast by way of rocks and natural tunnels. Little visited and quiet.

Praia Nova and Nossa Senhora da Rocha
Two beaches separated by the spur of rock on which stands the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha... but connected by a tunnel. It is possible to hire boats to explore the coast or get to isolated beaches.

Cova Redonda
Small and charming beach between cliffs. Tourist facilities.

Food and Wine
The tradition of cultivating the vine in the Algarve is over a thousand years old and continued even during the centuries of Moorish occupation. It is no surprise then that this region produces good wines and that Lagoa, with its sandy soils and particular ecosystem, is at the heart of this production.
The white and red wines of Lagoa are fragrant, light and smooth, redolent of the sunshine of the Algarve. Dry and sweet aperitif wines are also made from local grape varieties. But man does not live by wine alone And so Lagoa offers not only the simple delights of grilled sardine, but mouth-watering fish soups flavoured with bay, fish stews, horse mackerel with lime, white beans with whelks, corn pap with cockles or sardines, baked octopus and such enchanting local meat dishes as ox tail with chickpeas and Moorish lamb, reminders of a heritage that has never been forgotten.

In the realm of cakes and sweets, Lagoa offers the typical "morgadinhos" of the Algarve - almond paste in the shape of animals, flowers and other objects, puddings made with juicy Algarve oranges, pumpkin cake and almond-flavoured "florados".

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