Page 178 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

EXPERIENCE MORE

4
Berlenga Islands
! C4 g From Peniche
EXPERIENCE Estremadura and Ribatejo Monks, a lighthouse keeper,
n Rua Alexandre
Herculano, Peniche; 262
789 571
fishermen and biologists
have inhabited this rocky
archipelago that juts out from
the Atlantic Ocean 12 km
(7 miles) from the mainland.
Berlenga Grande, the biggest
island, can be reached by ferry
in about an hour. This island is
a nature reserve with nesting
sites for sea birds. On the
southeast side of the island is
the 17th-century penta gonal
Forte de São João Baptista.
This stark, stone fort suffered
repeated assaults from
pirates and foreign armies.
Today it is a basic hostel.
Small boats can be hired
from the jetty to explore the Stone fortress
marine grottoes around the of São João on
island. Furado Grande is the Berlenga Grande
most spec tacular of these; a
70-m (230-ft) tunnel, opening
into the Covo do Sonho includes a look into the prison 6
(Dream Cove) framed by cells. On Largo 5 de Outubro,
imposing red granite cliffs. the Igreja da Misericórdia has Baleal
17th-century painted ceiling ! D4 ⌂ 3 km (2 miles)
panels depicting the Life of north of Peniche
5 Christ, and patterned azulejo This picturesque village,
panels from the same period.
Peniche On the peninsula’s western which bustles with water-
head land, 2 km (1 mile) from front cafés, bars and res-
! D4 @ n Rua Alexandre
Herculano; 262 789 571 Peniche, Cabo Carvoeiro taurants, is squeezed on
affords grand views of the to a little islet on the coast.
Set on a peninsula, this small, strange-shaped rocks along Baleal is connected to the
pleasant town is partly en - the eroded coastline. Here, the mainland by a narrow
closed by 16th-century walls. interior of the chapel of Nossa causeway, with superb sandy
Totally dependent on its port, Senhora dos Remédios is beaches on either side. One
Peniche has good fish restaur- adorned with 18th-century side of the causeway is shel-
ants and deep-sea fishing tiles on the Life of the Virgin tered, making it the chosen
facil ities. At the water’s edge attributed to the workshop of spot for bathers, whilst the
on the south side of town António de Oliveira Bernardes. other, with its good breakers,
stands the 16th-century is a surfers’ haunt. Unsurpris-
Fortaleza, used as a prison Museu de Peniche ingly, Baleal is home to
during the Salazar regime. The " ⌂ Campo da República several surf schools offering
fortress was made famous by § 262 780 116 # 9am– lessons to beginners and
the escape in 1960 of the 12:30pm, 2–5:30pm Tue–Sun organizing trips to nearby
Communist leader Álvaro (from 10am Sat & Sun); last swells for more experienced
Cunhal. Inside, the Museu de adm 30 mins before closing practitioners. Vehicles are
Peniche offers a tour that ¢ 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 25 Dec best left at the car parks
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