Page 328 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

EXPERIENCE Algarve

Promontory of Cabo de São
Vicente jutting into the
Atlantic Ocean

6 dream “to see what lay 7
beyond the Canaries and Cape
Sagres Bojador… and attempt the Cabo de São Vicente
discovery of things hidden
! D7 @ n Rua Comandante from men”. From 1419 to 1460, ! D7 @ To Sagres then taxi
Matoso; 282 624 873 n Sagres; 282 624 873
he poured his energy and the
The small town of Sagres re venues of the Order of Christ In the Middle Ages, this wind-
has little to offer except a (p176), of which he was master, blown cape at the ex treme
picturesque harbour, but it into building caravels and southwest of Europe was
is a good base from which to sending his fear-stricken believed to be the end of the
explore the superb beaches sailors into unknown waters. world. Today, with its 60-m-
and isolated penin sula west of In 1434, Gil Eanes of Lagos (200-ft-) tall cliffs, it still
the town. Henry the Navigator was the first sailor to round presents an awe-inspiring
built a fortress on this the dreaded Cape Bojador, in aspect. The ocean waves have
windswept promontory and, the region of Western Sahara. created long, sandy beaches
according to tradition, a school With this feat, the west coast and carved deep caves.
of navigation and a shipyard. of Africa was opened up for
From here he realized his exploration and Portugal’s
empire expanded. HENRY THE
Little remains of Prince NAVIGATOR
Henry’s original fortress: the Although he didn't sail
walls that can be seen today himself, Henry (1394–
are part of a 17th-century fort. 1460), the third son
Still visible is the giant pebble of João I, laid the foun­
wind compass, the Rosa dos dations for Portugal’s
Ventos, 43 m (141 ft) in dia- maritime expansion
meter, said to have been used that were later built
by Henry. The simple chapel upon by João II and
of Nossa Senhora da Graça solidified by Manuel I.
was also built by him. The As master of the rich
whole site, looking across to Order of Christ and
Cabo de São Vicente and out governor of the Algarve,
towards the open Atlantic, is Henry was able to
exhilarating and atmospheric. finance expe ditions to
The town is within easy reach the African coast. By
of superb beaches, such as the time he died he had
Interior of Nossa family-friendly Martinhal and a monopoly on all trade
Senhora da Graça Telheiro, which is perfect for south of Cape Bojador.
in Sagres surfing and bodyboarding.
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