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 Lagos Accommodation
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Lagos Golf
Boavista Golf Course
Espiche Golf Course
Palmares Golf Course
Lagos Map
Town Map
Lagos Property
Estate Agents
Lagos Sports
Archery
· Horse Riding
· Lawn Bowling
· Tennis
Lagos Wines
Algarve Wines
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".
(Visit - Portugal History)
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 there
is 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 the 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 Weather (detailed)
Detailed Meia Praia weather conditions
Lagos Photographs
Santo António Church
· Aerial View
· Pincho
· Main Square
· Square
· Beach
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Lagos Events |
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| Feira Coral do Algarve (Choral) |
May |
| Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets) |
29th and 30th July |
| Feira da Gastronomia (Food) |
August |
| Feira de N. Sra. Da Glória |
15th August |
| Feira de Tradicões e Arte do Algarve |
September |
| Festival de Flamenco |
September |
| Festa da N. Sra. da Conceição e São Luís (Odiáxere) |
September |
| Feira de Outubro |
12th October |
| Feira de S. Gonçalo |
27th October |
| Town Holiday |
27th October |
| Festival dos Descobrimentos |
October & November |
| Feira Franca de Lagos |
22nd to 24th November |
| Market Day |
1st Saturday of the Month
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Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Quinta do Lago
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vale do Lobo
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Lagos Telephone Numbers
8600
