Getting to Know the Freguesia (Parish) of

Olhao

No. of inhabitants: 40,08
Area 130,0 (Km2)

Fuseta
This is a fishing village, which still retains some of the old fishermen's cottages, with their distinctive cubic outlines, flat roof terraces and the balloon-shaped chimneys typical of this part of the Algarve.
The main church is home to some fine 18th century statues. Its churchyard offers a fine vantage point from which to look out at the town, the Ria and the sea. A look around the bustling fishing port and boatyard is indispensable.
Further on lie saltpans, like vast rectangular mirrors reflecting the sky, the ruins of the watchtowers at Torre de Bias, Cumeada and Alfanxia, parallel to the Ria Formosa and the sea, and the springs of 0lheiros, which are reputed to have medicinal properties.

Quelfes
Green fig trees and vines surround this village, where white-walled houses with decorated chimneys are still to be found in the streets around the church.
Main church This church's age is apparent from the gothic doorway of the side entrance. The main entrance, which is in the Renaissance style (16th century) is very plain. The interior is spacious and consists of three naves.
In the main chapel is an arch reflecting the transition from the Manueline period to the Renaissance, decorated with bunches of grapes and vine leaves and a ribbed vault with rosettes (16th century). There are a number of 18th century statues.
Nearby stands a bridge of Roman origin that has been rebuilt on Nation, occasions. In 1808, Napoleonic forces were defeated here in a skirmish that was the starting point for an uprising throughout the Algarve.

Moncarapacho
This is a village typical of the "Barrocal'- the intermediate zone of the Algarve between the coast and the hills of the interior, a place of orchards and vegetable gardens, fig trees, almond trees and pomegranate trees.
It has several houses typical of the bourgeois architecture of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Main church The Roman-gothic elements visible on the cornerstones at the rear of the church and the ribs on some vaults point to the medieval origins of this building. Its main doorway is considered to be one of the most accomplished works of Renaissance art in the Algarve (16th century).
The main doorway is dominated by a group of sculpted figures representing the Annunciation and by statues of the apostles St. Peter and St Paul. Inside, the paintings in the Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls) of the Calvary and Santo António (St. Anthony) and the collection of 17th and 18th century statuary, including figures of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary) and the Senhor da Paciência (Lord of Patience) are particularly deserving of mention.

Misericórdia (Mercy) Church
Though this church is of relatively little architectural interest, the retable on the main altar is notable for six paintings in the mannerist style (end of the 16th century) depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Chapel of the Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) In the 17th and 18th centuries this was a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the Algarve and it retains a number of valuable works of art from that period.
It is an 18th century baroque building of great simplicity. The interior is decorated with "tapete" (carpet) style polychrome tiles (18th century). Paintings from the same century depict scenes from the Nativity and a Sacred Heart. The altar is carved and gilded, with 18th century statues. There is a fine rail made of lignum vitae (17th century).

Parish Museum
Adjoining the Chapel of the Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit), in addition to a collection of interesting local archaeological and ethnographic exhibits- this museum contains a fine collection of religious statuary from the 16th to 18th centuries. Its main attraction is, however, an 18th century Neapolitan nativity scene.
Consisting of 45 pieces in all, it depicts the adoration of the Infant Jesus. The figures, which have terracotta heads and wooden legs and arms, are dressed in the sumptuous costumes of the period, threaded with silver and gold.
There are a number of the small country chapels known as hermitages in the vicinity of Moncarapacho- Pé da Cruz (Foot of the Cross), Sao Francisco (St. Francis), Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Our Lady, of Carmel) and others-which are typical of the local rural architecture and in some cases fine viewpoints from which to admire the surrounding countryside. But of all such places, the hermitage of São Miguel (St. Michael), which stands about 5 kilometres (3 miles) away from Moncarapacho on a hill that is also named for the saint (411m - 1,347 feet), is undoubtedly' the one that offers one of the most beautiful view of the Algarve, a sweeping panorama that takes in coastline and hills alike.

Another natural viewpoint not far from Moncarapacho is the hill at Cerro da Cabeça. In addition to its position high above the coast, this hill has the curious feature of being riddled with caves accessible only to speleologists. The Pleasures of Sun and Sea Fuseta The beauty of Fuseta's beaches can be measured only- in miles. There are facilities for yachts and motorboats. In the summer regular boat connections run from Fuseta town.

Armona
This small fishing hamlet has a long beach offering peace and quiet in large doses. A ferry provides regular connections with Olhão.
Water sports The huge Ria Formosa lagoon offers ideal conditions for yachting, motor-boating, canoeing and windsurfing. Divers are drawn to the beach of Culatra by the clear waters, where visibility can be as good as 15 metres, and the abundance of fish. The various anchorages provided by the two-access channels offer shelter for yachts All these factors make the 0lhão coast one of the Algarve's main centres for water sports.

Traditional Crafts
The brightly coloured "cloques", slippers made of cloth that were once worn by fishermen and farm workers alike are still produced in Olhão. The local craftsmen also make tiles, wooden ornaments, bags, belts and other leather articles, while Moncarapacho carries on a tradition of wrought iron work. Fishermen's food The cuisine of OIhão and the nearby coast, with its emphasis on gritted fish, shellfish, like cockles and others, and such fish-based dishes as "cataplana" (a delicious mix of tomatoes, onions, fish, clams and sausage cooked m a lidded copper pan), tastes of the sea.

The recipes favoured by fishermen are for the most part easy to prepare, but nonetheless tasty for that.
The list is long and includes stewed conger, squid with broad beans, boiled hake and sea bass, steamed cuttlefish, stewed clams and razor clams with rice. Further inland the cuisine is slanted more towards the local farm produce.
Dishes like beans with rice and chestnuts, chickpeas with pasta and peas with eggs- enlivened with bacon, sausage and pork, reflect the agricultural activities that are the vocation of this region.
Desserts here are very tempting. "Bolachas bêbedas" - ("Drunken" biscuits), made with brandy, stuffed figs, fig cake, sweet pies and orange and almond cake are all delicious ways to end a meal.