Tag: Walking

LAGOA (ESTÔMBAR). Sítio das Fontes is a unique natural place, due to the diversity of interesting aspects representing the Mediterranean landscape – the salt marsh, the mire, the shrubland, a temporary small lagoon, abandoned agricultural areas and many plans and water lines. The countless springs that give name to this place have origin in the biggest phreatic zone in the Algarve, known as Lias-Dodger or the Querença – Silves. Every year, thousands of people go to this creek of the River Arade to be in contact with the nature and to use the available equipment, like the Nature Interpretation Centre (CIN), the open-air Amphitheatre or the picnic area for cultural activities, discovering the nature and leisure time. The Tide Mill and the Miller’s House, both recovered, are examples of a more vast industrial patrimony along the River Arade. We are sure the walk will boost your appetite, so don’t forget your Lagoa Genial Picnic. Font: Lagoa Municipality BOOK PICNIC

LAGOA (FERRAGUDO). Lighthouses have been used since ancient times to help navigation. The Farol da Ponta do Altar (Ponta do Altar Lighthouse) was built in 1893, on a promontory used since prehistory for pagan rituals, and its construction was not very expensive. From the red cylindrical lantern of its prismatic tower of 10 m high and 2.7 m wide, the light emanated using petroleum was white. In Ferragudo, two lit moles, one fixed and another mobile, worked together with the lighthouse to guide the boats on their routes. In 1948, the light was changed to red with a range of 10 miles. In 1954, the energy power was gas and in 1976 it became electrical, although the gas was still in use until 1983. In 1992, the lighthouse was automatized to telecontrol from Cape St. Vincent. In 2001, its colour became white again with a range of 16 miles. This lighthouse is surrounded by some of the most beautiful cliffs that form big and mysterious caves. We are sure the walk will boost your appetite, so don’t forget your Lagoa Genial Picnic. Font: Lagoa Municipality BOOK PICNIC

LAGOA (CARVOEIRO). The Farol de Alfanzina (Lighthouse of Alfanzina), in Algarve, was projected in 1883 but was only built in 1919. This lighthouse is according to the parameters of the engineering schools of the 19th century, where the rational spirit was predominant, as it happens in other lighthouses of the time, like the one in Ribeirinha in Faial Island (Azores) or the one in Cabo Sardão. It took decades until the lighthouse could be used with electrical power. It was also hard to build an access path that led to it. We believe that this place, which today has a strong urbanistic increase due to the tourism, was no more than an isolated place. Now, from the top of the 15-metre tower, two lenses emanate two flashes of light with 3.6 and 11 second intervals that can be seen for 29 miles. It uses lights of 1000 w / 220 v. Don’t forget to take with you your Genial Picnic Backpack, full of local delicacies. Font: Lagoa Municipality BOOK PICNIC

LAGOA (FRRAGUDO). The Torre da Lapa (Lapa Tower or the Marinha Tower) is a surveillance coastal structure, probably built in the 17th century, as it already existed in 1693, according to the records of the time in Tombo of the Main Church of Lagoa. It was part of a defensive and surveillance set along the Algarve’s coast that started being built after the Christian Reconquest, reinforced during the reigns of King John III and King Sebastian. It is a watchtower with 6 m wide and was built using stone and mortar. From the cliff where it was built, near Lapa Valley, you can see the mouth of the River Arade and the vast extension of the ocean. From the top of the tower people could see the ships coming mostly from Africa to loot and kidnap. People were then warned about the threat by setting up fire at night or making smoke during the day. The tower is no longer used for surveillance, but people can still visit it and contemplate the beautiful natural scenery. Not far from it, the Tower Mill, now surrounded by the population of Ferragudo and long featureless, was probably used for the same purpose. We are sure the walk will boost your appetite, so don’t forget your Lagoa Genial Picnic. Font: Lagoa Municupality BOOK PICNIC