Page 111 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

THE LISBON C O AST  109

the tracks is the riviera- like, but w Cabo Espichel
relaxed beach, on the other a @ from Sesimbra.
palm-lined park flanked by grand
buildings, stretching up past Sheer cliffs drop straight into
fountains to what is said to be the sea at this windswept
Europe’s biggest casino. Dwarfing promontory where the land
the casino is the Estoril Congress ends dramatically. The Romans
Centre, a vast multi purpose named it Promontorium
edifice that speaks confidently Barbaricum, alluding to its
of Estoril’s contemporary role. 18th-century pilgrims’ lodgings, dangerous location, and a
Cabo Espichel lighthouse warns sailors of
9 Palácio Nacional q Costa da the treacherous rocks below.
Stunning views of the
de Queluz Caparica ocean and the coast can
See pp110–11. * 12,000. g to Cacilhas or Trafaria be enjoyed from this bleak
outcrop of land but beware
then bus. £ to Pragal then bus. of the strong gusts of wind
0 Alcochete n Avenida General Humberto on the cliff edge.
Delgado (212 900 071).
* 8,000. @ n Largo da In this desolate setting is the
Misericórdia (212 348 655). Long beaches backed by sand impressive Santuário de Nossa
dunes make this a popular Senhora do Cabo, a late-
This delightful old town holiday resort for 17th-century church with its
overlooks the wide Tagus Lisboetas, who back to the sea. On either side
estuary from the southern come to sunbathe, of the church, a long line of
shore. Salt has long been one swim, and enjoy dilapidated 18th-century
of the main industries here, and the beach pilgrims’ lodgings, facing
saltpans can still be seen to the cafés and inwards, form an open
north and south of the town, seafood restau- courtyard. Baroque paintings,
while in the town centre a large rants. A railway ex votos and a frescoed ceiling
statue of a muscular salt worker with open carriages decorate the church’s interior.
has the inscription: “Do Sal a runs for 10 km Nearby, a domed chapel has
Revolta e a Esperança” (From (6 miles) along the tiled blue-and-white azulejo
Salt to Rebellion and Hope). coast in summer. panels depicting fishing
On the outskirts The first beaches scenes. The site became a
of town is a statue reached from popular place of pilgrimage
of Manuel I (see p18), the town are in the 13th century when a
who was born here Statue of a salt worker in popular with local man had a vision of the
on 1 June 1469 and Alcochete (1985) families with Madonna rising from the sea
granted the town a children, while on a mule. Legend has it that
Royal Charter in 1515. the furthest beaches suit those the mule tracks can be seen
seeking quiet isolation. Further embedded in the rock. The
Environs south, sheltered by pine large footprints, on Praia dos
The Reserva Natural do forests, Lagoa de Albufeira is a Lagosteiros below the church,
Estuário do Tejo covers a peaceful windsurfing and kite- are actually believed to be
vast area of estuary water, boarding centre and camp site. fossilized dinosaur tracks.
salt marshes and small islands
around Alcochete and is
a very important breeding
ground for water birds.
Particularly interesting are flocks
of flamingos that gather here
during the autumn and spring
migration, en route from
colonies such as the Camargue
in France and Fuente de Piedra
in Spain. Ask at the tourist office
about boat trips to see the
wildlife of the estuary, which
includes wild bulls and horses.
O Reserva Natural do Estuário
do Tejo
Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande
Guerra 1. Tel 212 348 021. Spring flowers by the saltpans of the Tagus estuary near Alcochete

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