Things to do in Portugal
The Algarve is situated on the Southern Coastline of Portugal and is blessed with pristine sandy beaches and the defining features of the sandstone rock cliffs, picturesque fishing towns and a warm climate, making the Algarve the perfect and more affordable holiday destination in Europe.
Igreja Matriz de Santa Bárbara de Nexe
The construction of the Igreja Matriz, one of the largest and most important in the rural Algarve, began in the 14th century, in the place of an existing old chapel, where “miracles” were reported, and which was the site of regional pilgrimages. It was the target of important interventions in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a building with three naves with five spans, with pointed arches supported by columns. A triumphal arch exuberantly decorated with branches and trunks, in pure Manueline style, separates the central nave from the chancel, whose roof is decorated by a starry vault with five keys, connected by vaults in the form of a rope. The nave facing north has three chapels, with paintings from the 16th century, Baroque carved altarpieces and “rocaille”.
The Church of São Lourenço in Almancil
The local legend states that in the early 1700s the original Igreja de São Lourenço was in a near ruinous state and didn’t even have doors. During a particularly hot summer, and with water levels low. The local people needed to dig a new well in the town. The situation was dire and while digging they prayed for water and made a promise that if they found it, they would give the local town and Saint Lawrence the patronage they deserved. With the completion of the well, the people found copious amounts of water. Enough for the whole town and their crops. It was then time to restore the ruined church.
With the structure and walls already built but in ruins, they decided to rebuild the former church. The churches smaller architectural value would be compensated by exuberant craftsmanship and ornamentation on the inside. Which when you visit is very clear to see. The azulejo tiles have been attributed to the master craftsmen Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. One of the most famous tile painters of the era. You’ll find other examples of his work across the country, most famously in the Misericórdia Church in Viana do Castelo and Evora’s Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Cabeça. Amazingly, and unlike many other buildings in the region. The great earthquake of 1755 was ‘hardly felt’, it’s recorded as knocking just five tiles from the ceiling of the church. A testament to the master craftsmen, and the holy Saint Lawrence watching over the church
You’ll find the church on Rua da Igreja on the outskirts Almancil. There is a cost of 3 euros to enter. In the high season (April 15 to October 15), its open Monday from 3 pm to 6 pm, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm. In the low season (October 16 to April 14), Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. It is a place of worship for locals, and you can book the church for events and marriages. Officially, you aren’t allowed to take photos, but if you ask nicely and you’re alone they’ll let you snap a couple quickly!
The Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort
Built on top of a cliff where there was once a military fortress. In the village of Alcáçova. The fort is a 150 metres (490 ft) quadrangle with pentagonal bastions at the corners. Four ravelins cover the curtain wall, half of which form part of the monumental gate (Dragon Gate The central part of the square features a circular redoubt with two floors and a parapet with gun ports. The fort’s circular tower has two vaulted floors: the first consisting of a decorated chapel and the second the Governor’s House. Below the chapel, carved into the rock, there is a cistern.
Externally, the structure is completed by a hornwork and a dry wide moat.
A 19th century visitor described the fort thus:
There is a reservoir constantly supplied with water sufficient for the garrison of 2000 men for two years, and stores of corn and provisions for that time are also laid up. There is a mill within the walls for grinding corn, and an oven for baking sufficient bread, so that as there are no means for taking the fort but by treachery, surprise, or famine, the siege of La Lippe must be a work of patience, not to mention the loss; for as the besieged will be perfectly safe within their walls, so will the besiegers be completely exposed to the fire of the garrison : though surrounded on three sides by hills, they are all too low and too well commanded by the fort to admit of any annoyance from them. There is a curious circumstance in natural history connected with fort La Lippe: a well, which is of amazing depth, yields water which mixes readily with oil, and produces a thick fluid resembling milk, but the flavour of which is disagreeable.
Beaches in Portugal
Praia da Quarteira
Praia de Quarteira is the main beach in Quarteira and it stretches for almost 2 kilometres in length. The beach is backed by high-rise apartments. Between the apartments and the beach there is a beautiful promenade that runs the length of the beach that is perfect for running or biking. The Beach ends at the fresh fish and vegetable market that is open seven days a week
Praia da Almargem
The Beach at Praia da Almargem is within walking distance to Quarteira. The beach is surprisingly unspoilt, and you will find a backdrop of sand dunes, and pine trees and a variety of insects. The beach is set at the foot of a wide valley by the Ribiera do Almargem river which runs into a sizeable lagoon. This body of water behind the beach is home to a variety of fauna and flora including the rare alcar -do-Algarve (form of rock rose) and Tomilia cabecudo (Hammerhead Thyme). The Lagoon is a great spot for birdwatching as it attracts waterfowl and a variety of birdlife.
