An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal established its
continental frontiers in 1297 and is one of the oldest nations in
Europe.
Situated on the west side of the Iberian Peninsula, its geographic
location along the Atlantic coast soon determined its vocation to the
sea.
In 1415, the Portuguese set sail on an epic voyage that would make
them the first to discover the ocean routes to India, Brazil, China and
Japan, and at the same time founded settlements on the east and west
coasts of Africa.
Traces of this worldwide historic presence may be seen as trademarks
of the Portuguese genius. The Portuguese language became one of the most
widely spoken in the world, and the Portuguese people were privileged
for being exposed to so many different civilizations. The vast
monumental, artistic and archaeological heritage does witness not only
the 850 years of history of encounters with distant cultures, but also
the presence in the territory of more ancient peoples (Celts, Suevians,
Visigoths, Romans and Arabs).
The natural advantages of a sunny country with such diverse
geographic features have turned Portugal into a chosen destination for
many holidaymakers, an ideal place for practicing water sports and
playing golf, offering modern tourism facilities, and quaint and
personalized means of accommodation, such as ‘turismo de habitação’
(privately owned homes ranging from wonderful farmhouses to manor
houses), ‘hotéis de charme’ or ‘pousadas’.
A member-country of the European Union since 1986, Portugal currently
enjoys a steady economic growth. For centuries Portugal has kept the
greatest treasure of a renowned reputation for hospitality that makes
the country a haven of congeniality and safety.
Gorgeous beaches, warm water and glorious sunshine year-round,
Algarve is the dream holiday.
Situated on the extreme South of Portugal, this part of the territory
was the last to be conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese king Dom
Afonso III, in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence are still seen in
its unique terraces, chimneys and whitewashed houses.
However, the distance that was difficult to cover back in the 13th
century is no longer an obstacle thanks to the modern highway and
coastal road and Faro international airport. So why not visit this
charming region, with its idyllic temperatures (average temperature in
winter of 14°C and 24°C - 57°F and 75°F - in summer, rarely going below
12°C - 53°F- during winter and reaching as high as 28°C or 30°C - 82°F
or 86° F - in July and August), which are ideal for playing golf and
other sports.
In the northern part of Algarve, the ranges of Espinhaço de Cão,
Monchique and Caldeirão shelter the coast from strong winds. This
brightly colored region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond
trees in blossom, is also the most verdant and fertile. The southern
coastline consists of a long stretch of fabulous sandy beaches, broken
up by extraordinary rugged red cliffs and fantastic grottoes.
Apart from the wealth of available water sports facilities (the
marinas of Vilamoura and Lagos deserve special mention, amongst the
various ports and harbours), there are other alternatives, such as
tennis courts, famous golf courses, luxury hotels or quaint holiday
resorts and an exciting nightlife.
Faro
The capital of the region, with a medieval wall and a large number of
monuments: Cathedral (Romanesque-Gothic origin), Nossa Senhora da
Assunção Convent (Renaissance), São Francisco Church (16th-18th
centuries). Museums to visit: Infante Dom Henrique, Regional
Ethnographic, Ramalho Ortigão and Antoniano (next to Santo António do
Alto Chapel). Also worthwhile visiting are the beautiful churches of São
Pedro da Misericórdia and Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Roman ruins of Milreu
in the suburbs.
Lagos
Enclosed within 15th century walls, with its Manueline window, are
the magnificent churches of São Sebastião (Renaissance portals and 17th
and 18th century tiles), Santa Maria or Misericórdia (16th-19th
centuries), Santo António (Baroque) and the very old São João Chapel
(8th-9th centuries). Other points of interest: Regional Museum,
Governors’ Palace, Pau da Bandeira Fortress and the old slave market.
Charming marina.
Monchique
Amongst the beautiful houses on the slope stand the mother-church (Manueline),
the Misericórdia Church (with a Baroque retable) and the Senhor do Pé da
Cruz Chapel (17th century). Nearby, look for the famous thermal spa of
Monchique and Fóia (2959 ft high), overlooking the hills and the ocean.
Olhão
The square-shaped flat-roofed houses, with their Moorish-style
terraces, are this fishing town’s ex-libris. Behind the mother-church
(17th century) you will find the Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos Chapel.
Portimão
In this fishermen’s town, visit the mother-church (14th century,
rebuilt in the 18th century), the Colégio Church (17th century), and the
Town Hall. In the suburbs, the renowned Praia da Rocha (with its Santa
Catarina de Ribamar Fortress), and the Roman ruins of Abicada.
Sagres
It was here that five centuries ago Prince Henry set up a school of
navigation, which played a crucial role in the Portuguese Discoveries.
Apart from the Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel, you can visit the
magnificent fortress (originally built in the 14th century, and later
altered) and the 15th century rosa-dos-ventos (a 141 ft diameter compass
card). Nearby, on the extreme southwestern tip of the European
continent, is Cabo de São Vicente (Romans’ Promontorium Sacrum), opening
on to a vast horizon of sea and sky.
Silves
Stones of different times and cultures overlap in this town: the
castle and walls are of Arab origin; the Gothic Cathedral (having
undergone several restoration work) was built on the site of an ancient
mosque; the 12th century bridge was built where formerly stood a Roman
bridge. The Cross of Portugal also deserves special mention (16th
century religious sculpture), as well as the following examples of
Manueline motifs: the Nossa Senhora dos Mártires Chapel and the
Misericórdia Church. The Archeology Museum is built around an almost
unique Arab water cistern, dating from the Almohad period.
Tavira
With its inviting long beaches, typical roofs and chimneys, this
picturesque town offers a beautiful view over the Gilão river and its
Roman bridge. Churches to visit: Santa Maria do Castelo (13th-18th
centuries), Misericórdia (Renaissance), Nossa Senhora das Ondas (17th
century), São José (with Gothic and Manueline elements), São Paulo and
Carmo (17th-18th-centuries). If you are browsing along the Travessa de
Dona Brites, you will see beautiful medieval houses, with Gothic windows
and portals. In the suburbs, at the village of Luz there is a
Renaissance church, which has been a pilgrimage place for many
centuries.
Porto and North of Portugal
The natural beauty of Portugal’s oldest region forms the backdrop for
this proud and traditional land.
Porto
(Classified by UNESCO World Heritage site) The North’s most important
city lent its name to the famous wine and to Portugal. One must stroll
around its typical quarters (especially the area on the waterside, the
‘zona ribeirinha’) and its bustling downtown. Visit: the Stock Exchange
Palace, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the church of Cedofeita
(Romanesque), the Clérigos tower (Porto’s ex-libris of Baroque
architecture) and church; the church of São Francisco, of Romanesque
origin, with its interior covered in gilded carvings, and the church of
Carmo, with tiled façades. Museums: Soares dos Reis, Casa de Serralves
(modern art), Casa-Museu de Guerra Junqueiro and the Romantic Style
Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha. One should not miss a visit to the Port
lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and free tasting of the famous port wine.
The Douro region
The Douro river is the longest in northern Portugal. It winds its
sinuous way past mountains and cliffs until it reaches the Atlantic near
the city of Porto.
Many dams have been built to make the river navigable, which for the
visitor means that plenty of pleasure and cruise boats depart from Porto
to the Douro region. Between Mesão Frio and Pinhão lies the stretch
where the valley sides are lined with terraced vineyards that produce
the famous Port wine. But this region is famous for other things besides
the wine that is made nowhere else in the world. Signs of prehistoric
men are seen in the ancient cave paintings in Vila Nova de Foz Côa.
Elsewhere, medieval castles and convents or Romanesque little churches
dot the landscape. History, too, is evoked by the manor houses, such as
the Baroque mansion at Mateus, near Vila Real, or in the great 17th
century sanctuaries, such as Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Lamego, which
plays such an important role in people’s devotions.
North East Region of Trás-os-Montes
In this region people keep alive traditions of dance and song
(showing strong Celtic influence, as in the Pauliteiros dance at the
village of Miranda) and in their secular festivals and processions,
which reveals how Christian rituals were grafted onto a much older pagan
heritage.
A paradise of unspoiled natural resources, the region is a perfect
place for mountain trekking, canoeing or simply resting up in the spa
towns of Carvalhelhos, Chaves, and Pedras Salgadas. Vidago has a
magnificent park with swimming pools and a golf course.
The Coastal Region of Minho
Porto is without doubt the main city in northern Portugal. It has an
international airport and all the charms of a riverside community. It
also keeps alive traditional values while pushing ahead with a dynamic,
innovative spirit in its commercial and industrial life.
Along the coastline north of Porto runs a coastal road linking Vila
do Conde to Valença. It takes visitors past beautiful beaches, summer
resorts and enchanting villages, such as Caminha and Vila Nova de
Cerveira. Inland, one must visit the huge national park area covering
the mountains of Peneda, Soajo and Gerês.
Three towns that set the tone for this charming area of Portugal are
Viana do Castelo, lying upon the estuary of the Lima river; Braga, rich
in ecclesiastical history; and the medieval Guimarães. Mansions and
manorial houses in this region open their doors to bed and breakfast,
offering visitors a rare privileged glimpse of aristocratic Portuguese
traditions, combined with the best modern hospitality can offer.
Barcelos
Medieval walled town and a dungeon of the same epoch. Worthy of a
visit are the Ceramics Museum (Museu de Olaria), the Archeologic Museum
of the Dukes’ Palace, the mother-church (Romanesque-Gothic), and the
churches of Terço, Cruzes and Benedictine Convent. Walking tours around
the ancient Jewish quarter or in the streets with medieval houses and
Baroque manors; boat tours on the Cávado river.
Braga
Founded by the Celts in 300 B.C. and a Roman administrative centre in
27 B.C., Bracara Augusta, as the Romans named it, combines the religious
importance with today’s commercial and industrial prosperity. To visit:
the Cathedral (12th-18th centuries), the treasury and Sacred Art Museum;
the museum at the Biscainhos Palace; and the Dom Diogo de Sousa Museum.
Also deserving to be visited are the churches of Misericórdia
(Renaissance), Pópulo (17th-18th centuries) and of Nossa Senhora Branca
(18th century). On the outskirts, 2.5 miles away from the centre, stands
the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro; the ancient monastery of
Tibães, dating back to the Suevian period and rebuilt in the 11th
century, and the Church of São Frutuoso de Montélios (a 7th-century
Visigothic temple).
Guimarães
Portugal’s birthplace, with medieval castle and walls, houses a
magnificently well-preserved historic centre. In the cloisters of the
church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira is the Alberto Sampaio Museum; and
the cloister of São Domingos Convent houses the Martins Sarmento Museum.
In the ancient dominican convent stands the Sacred Art Museum. Also
deserving special mentions are the palace of the Dukes of Bragança
(15th-century) and the monastery of Santa Marinha da Costa .
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