Sagres Point - A simple photo journey from September 2008

My vacations aren't over yet... But even that I haven't planed any trip for this two week period, between the Holy Week and the the day of the celebration of the Carnation Revolution (in Portuguese: Revolução dos Cravos), that happens in next week April 25, my memories, and the "old photographic files" excavation brings me so much delight...

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Today I share with you this photo-journey that I had back in September 6, 2008. I captured them with my Nikon Coolpix 5700, so the optical zoom wasn't nothing special, but if you where looking for photos of static objects, or in the exterior, it had a pretty decent result from the price that costs back then.

I went to the Sagres Point, that cames from the Latin words Promontorium Sacrum, or Holy Promontory that is located in the southwest Algarve region (the southern part of Portugal).

Located only 4 km west and 3km to the north is the Saint Vicente Cape, that corresponds to the most southwestern point of Europe.

The proximity between this two points (Sagres Point and Cape Saint Vicente) resulted in a important usage in religious proposes in the Neolithic time (final division of the Stone Age), for placing menhirs very near of Vila do Bispo (an local small parish).

The promontory has a importance in the maritime activities, since sailors used it has a shelter for ships and vessels, before the difficult journey around the Saint Vicente Cape, when winds are not so favorable for attempt it.

The location resembles something very mystical, since the blood colored rocky landscape merges with the immense golden carpet that lies in the gorgeous and mostly natural beaches.

The Sagres Fortress stands proudly in the desert landscape, protecting one the entrance points of the Iberian Peninsula.

Detail of one of the hatches of the fortress

Entering in the Fortress by the thick wall tunnel, one marvelous a giant pebble compass rose (rosa dos ventos) is present for those you got there. This compass is divided in 40 segments (I didn't knew this fact, just realized when researching from some literature to make the post), when normally compass roses are divided into 32 segments...

It's is hypothesized that could be due to an error of the 20th-century restorers... and very unlikely to date back to the time of Henry the Navigator.

Back part of the Fortress wall

On some points, then ones facing the Atlantic Ocean, it is possible to be next to this artilary pieces. It is in fact impressive the corrosion that salty mist can do the thickest steel, when it has "time" for it...

The Nossa Senhora da Graça church dates from the XVII century, and it was rebuild after the 1755 earthquake. It's still possible to see a set of tombstones in the backyard.

On the side of the church a stone standard (in portuguese: Padrão) is located.

Basically it's a stone pillar that was usually left by Portuguese maritime explorers during the XV and XVI centuries, to record their landfalls and to establish possession of the land. Often placed on promontories and capes, like the Sagres, the early markers were simple wooden pillars or crosses but they deteriorated quickly in the tropical climate where they were often erected. Later on were carved from stone in the form of a pillar surmounted by a cross and the royal coat of arms like the replica present here.

Striding around the coast line and cliffs, it's possible to admire the courage of two fisherman that use a simple fishing rod to drop their line with the bait that falls into the rough and turbulent sea that suddenly swallows it down! Besides the beauty of it, one false step, and there is no second chance...

The view from this viewpoint is absolutely gorgeous, and even that my photographic camera wasn't a professional one, I still cold capture the immense color pallet from sea and cliffs of the Tonel Beach.

Lighthouse of Ponta de Sagres is beacon/lighthouse located along the coastal peninsula of Sagres Point.

As part of the 5th centenary commemorations marking the birth of Henry the Navigator, in 1894 the lighthouse was inaugurated. The rectangular tower of white masonry, with a single-story annex for the residence of the lighthouse-keeper and storage of material, has height of 13 m (43 ft).

The Lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente is beacon/lighthouse located along the coastal peninsula of Sagres Point in the civil parish of Sagres.

Not to be confused with the Lighthouse of Ponta de Sagres, which is the located further to the edge of the extreme southwest cape of the civil parish, southwest of the Fortress of Sagres.

A Pedra das Gaivotas or Ilhéu Mare Nostro (freehand English translation as The Seagulls Stone or Islet Mare Nostro), also known as Ilhéu Mare Nostro is an islet located in Cabo de São Vicente, near Ponta dos Arquizes. From its altitude of 56 meters, all the photogenic magnitude cames from being apart from mainland for more then 100 meters from the mainland, and an imposing area of ​​138 square meters.

If you ever consider in visiting Algarve for Summer vacations, consider to include this very interesting historical and unique place. For sure that you wouldn't be regretted.

Feel free to join the discussion in the comment area.

I hope that you liked my forth post in the #Haveyoubeenhere community!

Stay safe