Sonel Hotels, Lagos, Discoveries, Portuguese, Algarve.

It was from here that Don. Henriques launched his fleet of Caravelas, as they set sail on their great voyages of Discovery.

With its strategic location, Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians all fought for supremacy over Lagos. After the Roman occupation, the city was re-named Lacobriga and gained its Mediterranean feel under influence from the Arab Empire. Narrow streets, handicrafts – the very walls which protect it - have left their mark on the townspeople over the centuries.

It was from this very place that the Infante Don Henriques watched as the fleet set sail on
the great voyages of Discovery, and the town became known as the City of the Discoverers.

Important documents confirming prestigious victories won as the ‘new world was discovered for the World’ were to be lost as time went by. But, in 1573, Don Sebastian bestowed city status on Lagos; he was to stay there for one last time in 1578, as he set out on the fateful journey to the battle of Alcacer-Quibir.

Targeted by both human and natural disasters – such as the earthquake of 1755 - the city rose again from the ruins. This rebirth has taken many thousands of years and been helped along by trade – fishing and agriculture – the beginnings of a sort of early industry.

DON'T MISS

Governor's Palace (Arab period)
Founded by the Arabs, the castle was conquered in 1189 by Don Sancho 1st. The Military government of the Algarve was established here in the 14th century. Today little remains of the castellated palace except the Manuelino window, from which Don Sebastian would have joined in a last Mass, before leaving for the prophetic battle of Alcacer-Quibir, in 1579.

Mother Church of Odiaxere (Arab period)
A religious temple of Arab origin, virtually ruined at the end of the 16th century and rebuilt in the 17th by order of the then Bishop of the Algarve. The church contains decorative tiles from the end of the 18th century and some interesting statuary. The magnificent Manuelino portico archway is decorated with a series of stone pomegranates.

Luz Roman Archaeological Station (Roman period)
A roman ‘Villa’, discovered in the 19th century, with roman baths and ante-rooms with mosaic floors.

Dona Maria II Bridgeridge (Roman period)
Built over the Bensafrim tributary, and bearing Roman traces, the bridge was renovated in 1618. In 1755 it was destroyed by the earthquake which destroyed the city. In 1796 reinforcements to the structure were made and a commemorative plaque installed which is today to be found in the Municipal Museum of Lagos. The bridge was subsequently destroyed in 1805 but renovated in 1960.

St. John the Baptist Hermitage. (middle ages)
Towards the end of the 15th century the faithful flocked to this hermitage. Probably of 12th century, medieval origin, badly damaged in the earthquake of 1755, the hermitage was rebuilt in 1805. Further conservation works in 1985 and 1993 have greatly improved its overall condition. Note the ornate gilded carvings in the Moorish chapel of St. John.

Church of St. Sebastian (14th – 15th century)
Note the end of 15th century Renaissance doorway with its beautiful carvings and sculptures. The main doorway is flanked by a pair of Doric columns; inside, a statue of Our Lady of Glory, presented by Don John V is adorned by three ships on Doric columns. The Hermitage was consecrated to Our Lady of Conception in the 14th century, and converted into a church dedicated to St. Sebastian, in 1463. There is a small chapel of bones nearby.

Slaves’ Market (15th century)
The first slaves were bought to Lagos from Africa, in 1444 and giving rise to the first Slaves’ Market. The first floor of the building housed Customs & Excise, a Guardhouse and Military Prison. Lagos Slaves Market took its place in popular tradition as the first market trading in Slaves, transported in the caravelas from Africa and held in Trinidade Square, at the town gates. The ground floor now houses an Art Gallery; the upper floor is a single room, with the arms of the Marquis of Nisa carved into the façade.

Church of St. Mary (15th – 16th century)
Built in the 15th century, the church comprises a single, rectangular nave, a raised Moorish chapel, baptistery, and choir, above the main entrance. Eventually the people regarded this as the Mother Church, replacing, as it did,, the church of St. Mary of Grace destroyed in the earthquake of 1755. The church was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century. Note the magnificent façade with its renovated stonework.

Lagos’ walls and turrets (15th – 16th century)
Built during the reigns of Don Manuel 1st, Don John 111 and Filipe 1st, these walls completely encircle the town and were designed to protect Lagos from attack by pirates and hostile fleets. Their excellent state of preservation and very extent make them the most important in the Algarve. The fortresses and doorways make excellent viewing points over the city.

Moorish Chapel – Luz Church (17th century)
Built in the baroque style, it boasts a wall with a gilded water vessel and series of arches topped with coats of arms dating from the 16th century. The arches are in the Manuelino style with base relief work depicting carved figures of people and animals.

The Regimental Armoury (17th century)
Contains the only set of the Seven Steps of the Sacred Way which in the 18th century were dotted throughout the town. Above each door of each of the walls of the façade there is a shield with the Arms of the Kingdom of Algarve: one that of the Count of Avintes. The magnificent baroque frontage crowns the Oratory with its two imposing wooden doors.

House of the Manuelino Window. (17th century)
The building bears traces of Manuelino influence : a 15th century window adorns the façade and some original 17th century masonry remains.

	Fort of Nossa Senhora da Penha de Franca (17th century) The Fort is outside the old city walls. Better known as the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, this was one of the last of Lagos’ defences to be built. Entry is via a drawbridge over the moat. Renovated in the 1960’s this is a true likeness of the maritime fortifications of the old Praca de Guerra.

Church of St. Anthony (17th – 18th century)
Built in 1707 and rebuilt in 1769, the church is classified as a National Monument because of its extraordinary 18th and 19th centuries gilded carvings. The walls are covered in decorated with 18th century tiles and the wooden dome looks like a cradle. A statue of St. Anthony with the baby Jesus in his arms stands on the Altar with an torch-bearing angel on either side.

Town Hall (18th century)
A fine example of a magnificent 17th century façade, renovated during the second part of the 19th century, following a fire. Today it houses the Departments of Culture, Social Service, Sport, Information and Presidential support office.

St. Goncalo Archway (séc. XX)
Built in the 1940’s in memory of the Patron Saint of Lagos. Legend has it that St. Goncalo, the Patron Saint of fishermen, was born in a house at the gateway to the sea where, still today, you will find a niche containing a statue of him. Dedicated to prayer and preaching, Goncalo is said to have performed many miracles, most notably that which led to an increase in the supply of tuna -”multiplicacao dos atuns”.

Railway Station (séc. XX)
Built in 1924, the Station stands on the left bank of the Bensafrim tributary and is a fine example of architecture of 20th century Public Buildings.

The Dr. Jose Formosinho Municipal Museum (20th century)
Founded in 1934 by the man whose name it bears, the Museum is housed in an annex of the Church of St. Anthony. It contains many interesting and rare artefacts, some of which are unique in Portugal. The Archaeology rooms display pieces from the Neolithic, Luso-Iberian, Roman and Arab periods; paintings from the 18th century hang in the Sacred Art rooms; History of Lagos, houses the original town Charter and Keys to the City, presented by Don Manuel, in 1504; Algarve Ethnography – traditional methods of transporting olive oil, depicted by a tiny, embalmed donkey; see also Coins, Minerals and Oceanography.

Fortress of Our Lady of Luz (Date unknown)
Twice rebuilt: first during the reign of Don Joao 111 and then during the Wars of the Restoration. Today it is a private house at Ponta da Calheta, in Luz.