Places in the South West Algarve
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Villas
More : - Praia da Luz and Burgau - Espiche and Almádena - Barão de São
Joåo
Val de Boi, Budens and Boca do Rio - Figueira,
Salema and Raposeira
Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Cape St. Vincent
Figueira
Now by-passed by the main Lagos to Sagres road,
this small typical village maintains its atmosphere, with narrow cobbled streets. Across
the main road, at the junction, is the entrance to the Parque da Floresta Golf Complex. To
the south, at the same junction, is the road to Salema.
The old village of Figueira is still a
typical example of rural Algarve life and virtually unaffected by modern day tourism.
Small whitewashed cottages in narrow streets are now complimented by two small restaurants,
some bars and a couple of minimarkets. Here you can still purchase freshly caught fish and newly
baked bread!
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At the bus stop |
The road past Casa Meranka (on the left) |
Although there are a host of activities for the holiday maker this is the ideal place to step back in time and walk for 15 minutes to the beach; a small and sandy cove and happily still only accessible by foot.
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Figueira Beach |
Salema
This seaside fishing village has several restaurants
and bars, and a fairly extensive sandy beach, with shallow water, ideal for children and
windsurfing.
Tourist Apartments and villas set on the hill look down to the sea.
Whilst on this beach why not wander along beneath the cliffs and see if you can
find the Dinosaur
Footprints.
Salema Accommodation
Apartment
sleeping 4 and an Apartment sleeping up
to 8 in this seaside resort.
www.simply-salema.co.uk
Luxury beach front villa with sea
views and private pool in Salema near Lagos on Portugal's Western Algarve.
Golf, walking, adventure, watersports and family activity holidays. Winter,
Spring, Summer and Autumn breaks.
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The old Atlantico Beach Bar (1999) |
Salema Beach, towards Cabanas Velhas |
Nossa Senhora de Guadaloupe
Between Figueira and Raposeira is a
small isolated chapel, dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Guadalope, where it is known that
Henry the Navigator used to attend Mass.
Built by the Knights Templars, this church was the earliest to be dedicated to Nossa
Senhora de Guadaloupe. The miracle of Our Lady at Guadaloupe was in 1320, and the cult was
introduced into Portugal in 1340. There is also a connection to St. Luke. Both these
saints are patrons of sailors.
Also in the area was the Commission of Ransoms, which arranged the recompense to be paid
for the safe return of prisoners of War from the Moors.
For its seeming remoteness, this is a large building, where upwards of 400 people could
have gathered to attend Mass. There may have been another village around here, and
excavations were proposed to discover more about the immediate area.
There is now a knowledgeable curator at the church, every day except Mondays, from 9.00am
to 5.00pm.
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| Nossa Senhora de Guadaloupe | The Chapel from the West | The interior with gothic windows |
View to the coast from behind N.S. de Guadaloupe
There are two large old farms lying in the same valley, one of which could have belonged to the Prince, and been his property at 'Raposeira'.
Raposeira
Prince Henry the Navigator is associated
with this village on the main road between Lagos and Sagres, as it is recorded that he had
a house, or a farm here.
Several small beaches can be reached by taking the small road
southwards to Ingrina and Zaviel.
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| Raposeira Church | The Manuelin doorway | An old House in Raposeira - note the height of the door compared to that of the neighbour's |
Photographs taken in May 1999
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