Ponta de Sagres e Cabo de São Vicente, Cape in Sagres, Algarve, Portugal

Ponta de Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente are two headlands at Portugal's southwest corner. The Sagres point ends in a narrow rocky platform above the sea, while the cape is a flat-topped cliff of schist and limestone rising about 60 metres. The cape's square lighthouse, built in 1846, stands beside the site of an old monastery.

In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator established a navigation school near these cliffs to train Portuguese explorers for maritime voyages. This school became central to developing the seafaring techniques that launched the Age of Discovery.

The cape's name comes from São Vicente, a deacon of Zaragoza martyred in Valencia around 304; his relics were said to have been brought here by ravens, and a shrine stood on the headland. Sailors still call the point O Cabo, and the last stretch of land is marked by a small whitewashed chapel rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.

Visit year-round, though strong winds and rough seas can make the cliffs hazardous in certain conditions. Stay on marked paths and respect safety barriers, especially near the cliff edges.

Ancient Romans called this place Promontorium Sacrum, viewing it as sacred ground where the sun descended into the ocean each evening. This ancient perception of a mystical event has shaped the site's identity through the centuries.