Lagos is a Portuguese city situated on the western Algarve. Its origin goes back to 2000 B.C. having been later occupied by the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. In the 13th century, it was conquered by the Christians. By the 15th century, Lagos became the birthplace of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. From here, Infante Henry the Navigator directed expeditions with caravels to Africa. One of the most important was the expedition to Cape Bojador. Gil Eanes, born in Lagos, was the first navigator to sail beyond this point that was considered at the time, the end of the world and therefore feared by sailors. Thus, this event allowed Portuguese explorers to navigate the world with more confidence and marked the beginning of European overseas exploration. Lagos was capital of the Algarve from 1577 until 1755 when it was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. The walls of the old city still remain today but most of the buildings were rebuilt and date from the 17th century. Nowadays, the town is visited by many tourists. Inside the ancient city walls, in the historic centre, the charm and character of this city are visible in the traditional houses and the Portuguese stone pavements. Santo Antonio’s Church is one of the most interesting Monuments to visit. It has an amazing decorated interior, covered in gilded wood carvings, 18th century azulejo tiles and Baroque paintings. Being a coastal town, Lagos has always been linked to the sea and today we can still see fishing boats that bring fresh fish and seafood, delicacies available in the local restaurants. Lagos has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the Algarve, with its clear waters and rocky formations that can be explored by small boat tours departing from Lagos Marina or beaches. A stunning place is Ponta da Piedade, a limestone coastline formed by rock arches, sea pillars and grottos. It can be seen from the sea or from landside through the footpaths along the cliffs. And there is even a long staircase that leads to the base of the most picturesque cove of this natural scenery. This is definitely a lovely city to discover and explore every time of the year. Author,Images and article by Sónia Santos.
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