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 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".
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 a another 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
(Area Map)
Lagos Events
29th and 30th July - Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets)
May - Feira Coral do Algarve (Choral)
August - Feira da Gastronomia (Food)
15th August - Feira de N. Sra. Da Glória
12th October - Feira de Outubro
27th October - Feira de S. Gonçalo
22nd to 24th November - Feira Franca de Lagos
Lagos Restaurants
Selected list for Lagos area
 Useful Lagos Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 282 762 055
Fire Brigade - 282 760 115
Police - 282 762 809
Hospital - 282 763 034
Emergency Treatment - 282 771 000
Ambulance - 282 760 115
Tourist Office - 282 763 031
Useful Lagos Facts
Distance from Faro Airport - 82 Kms
Town Holidays - 27th October
Postal Code - 8600
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António |
