Cape St. Vincent, Rocky headland in Algarve, Portugal
Description
Cabo de São Vicente is a rocky headland in southwestern Portugal where steep limestone cliffs rise about 75 meters above the Atlantic. The lighthouse stands near the edge and overlooks the ocean, which here is often rough and windy.
History
The current lighthouse was built in 1846 and replaced a small structure from 1520. Larger renovations followed in 1897 to increase the reach of its light.
Culture
Ancient Greeks named this place Ophiussa, meaning Land of Serpents, while Romans designated it as Promontorium Sacrum, considering it the edge of their known world.
Practical
The lighthouse houses a small maritime museum and remains under the management of the Portuguese Navy. Parking is available nearby and free to access.
Did you know?
Several naval battles took place near here, including an engagement in 1797 when Admiral John Jervis led his English fleet to defeat Spanish ships. Today the waters are calmer, yet seabirds still circle above the cliffs.
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Inland Algarve holds nature reserves, medieval castles, and Roman ruins that together form a wide picture of Portuguese history and nature. Monchique has thermal springs, Silves shows a castle built of red sandstone, and Faro contains a chapel lined with human bones. Natural parks like Ria Formosa...
The Algarve offers some of Portugal's most scenic landscapes, with a coastline alternating between golden beaches, ochre limestone cliffs, and rock formations shaped by marine erosion. This collection features the area's most notable sites, from the sea caves of Benagil to the natural arches of...
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