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 Lagoa Accommodation
Lagoa Guest & Manor Houses
Lagoa Holiday Apartments
Lagoa Hotels
Lagoa Hotels & Spa
Lagoa Inns
Lagoa Commerce
Lagoa - Products
Lagoa - Services
Lagoa Entertainment
Lagoa - Restaurants
Lagoa - What to Do
Lagoa Golf
Gramacho Golf Course
Pinta Golf Course
Silves Golf Course
Vale do Milho Golf Course
Lagoa Sports
Sailing
· Waterskiing
· Windsurfing
Lagoa Wines
Algarve Wines
Lagoa - History
Somewhere between 1242 and 1246 the Moors took possession of this
then small-fortified hamlet and placed it under the control of nearby
Silves. The location was later formally declared a town only to be
severely destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. It was in this town in 1797
that the notorious bandit José Joaquim Sousa Reis known as
Remexido was born. Commanding a fierce band of followers his acts
are recoded as being a mixture of good and bad legends. Most of the
Algarve area with also to the north the neighbouring Alentejo district
suffered by this band of brigands. He died before a firing squad in
Faro in 1838. The town of Lagoa has since grown as an
administrative town for the area that lived off in the past its abundant
agricultural produce. (Visit - Portugal History)
Lagoa - Description
Within the town are a number of long buildings with double doors that open
into courtyards, off which more than just a large storeroom can be found as
it will often be the home of some rich landowner. The produce was dependent
on the time of year and could be from carob beans to topsoil vegetable
products. On the outskirts of the town used to be an active co-operative for
the owners of vineyards that are still producing a small quantity of full
bodied red wine. This reduction has been seriously effected by the demise
of vineyards over recent years but their owners have found a new pot of
gold by selling their land as building plots.
The parish church was inaugurated in 1814 but there is the older church, the
Igreja de Misericórdia that dates from the middle of the 18th Century.
Another building of interest is the Convento do São José which was
built in 1713 and survived the earthquake of 1755. It is now used by the
local Council as a location for art exhibitions and has a small theatre for
cultural events. Inside is a turn-box door which was in previous times used
for passing unwanted babies to the nuns. The mother would place the baby and
any small possessions on a shelf in the box and communicate through a small
aperture with the nun on the other side. The revolving door delivered the
baby to the nuns without the mother having to disclose her identity.
In August of every year an important commercial and rural produce Fair named
Fatacil is held in the town, exhibiting products from all over
Portugal. The occasion provides an excuse for enjoyment and national bands
and singers entertain the visitors late into the night.
Lagoa - Nearby Locations
The nearby town of Estombar has a history dating further back to
when the Moors occupied the Algarve. It was the home of the famous
11th Century Arab poet “Ibn Ammar”. Many local legends exist and
there are reputed to be subterranean passages from near this town going
inland for about 12 Kms. to the ancient Moorish capital of Silves.
Near to Estombar is an area named Sítio de Fontes that has
for centuries been a popular swimming spot due to two freshwater springs
that provide a small lagoon prior to joining the Rio Arade. The
authorities have now created at this attractive area an open space for
performing plays and general picnicking.
To the south of the Lagoa is the once small fishing village of
Carvoeiro that today is an area of expensive villas, comfortable
holiday apartments and golf courses. To the east is the small and
attractive village of Porches that dates back to the Roman period.
Unfortunately, the earthquake of 1755 destroyed its ancient castle and
also the original parish church that is believed to date to the 16th
Century.
To the west of Lagoa on the edge of the river, Rio Arade,
opposite the town of Portimão is the small town of Ferragudo.
Romantically said to have once been the home of local pirates this place
has retained much of its Portuguese flavour, and as yet, it has not been
too influenced by tourism. During the summer on weekend evenings the main
square is filled with the sound of music and laughter as the locals and
tourists dance the night away.
Lagoa Weather (detailed)
Detailed Ferragudo weather conditions
Lagoa Photos
Boats at Mooring
· Estuary
· Ferragudo Village
· Lagoa Townhouses
· Vine Yard
· Estombar
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Lagoa Events |
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| Semana Gastronomia Portuguesa |
June |
| Feira de São João |
24th June |
| FATACIL |
August |
| Festa das Tasquinhas Algarvias |
August |
| Festa da N. Sra da Encarnação (Porches) |
September |
| Festa da N. Sra. da Luz |
September |
| Flea Market - (Ferragudo |
14th of every month |
| Town Holiday |
8th September
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Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Quinta do Lago
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vale do Lobo
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Lagoa Telephone Numbers
8400
