Fortaleza de Sagres Algarve

Portugal Castles: Fortaleza de Sagres

Fortaleza de Sagres

A view of the fort in Sagres, Portugal. — The Fortaleza de Sagres, Algarve

The original Fortaleza de Sagres in Sagres in The Algarve dates from the time of Henry the Navigator.

Its purpose was to protect the coast from Barbary pirates. The battlements still have the odd cannon and the 43-diameter rosa dos ventos (wind rose), which experts believe may be an early compass or maybe not.

It is situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline. Rather than a classically-designed castle, the fort is more a large wall built across the promontory with the cliffs providing protection at the sides.

The fortress has played a significant role in Portuguese maritime history and is associated with Prince Henry the Navigator, a key figure in the Age of Discovery.

Cannon on the battlements of the Fortaleza de Sagres. — Cannon on the battlements of the Fortaleza de Sagres

History

Prince Henry the Navigator, a member of the Portuguese royal family, established a school of navigation at Sagres in the 15th century. Although there is some debate about the existence and location of the school, it is commonly believed to have been within the walls of the fortress.

Supposedly run on almost monastic lines many of the stars of Portugal's golden "Age of Discoveries" in the 15th and 16th centuries are believed to have passed through the mythical "Sagres school" (Escola de Sagres): Gil Eanes, Bartolomeu Dias and Ferdinand Magellan, for example.

Sir Francis Drake paid a none-too-friendly visit to the fort in 1587 while harassing the Spanish Armada and the 1755 Earthquake did even more damage. Still the impressive walls still stand after extensive renovation and the fortress is one of the most visited attractions south of Lisbon.

Inside the large fortress is the small, charming, whitewashed Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça dating from the 16th century.

Opening Times & Admission

Open daily, entrance to the fortress is presently 3 Euros.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça. — Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça

Getting to Sagres

Train Travel in Portugal

Sagres is not on the rail network. The nearest station is in Lagos.

Lagos Station has rail connections with Faro via Albufeira and Loulé. There are also trains to Lisbon via Tunes. A regional train to Tunes takes about 55 minutes. At Tunes you can connect with an Alfa Pendular express or Intercidades (Intercity) train to Sete Rios, Entrecampos and Oriente. From Tunes to Lisbon is approximately 2 and a half hours altogether. Check www.cp.pt for the latest timetables and train fares.

Walls of the fortress. — Walls of the fortress

Car Travel in Portugal

Sagres is a 10 minute drive from Vila do Bispo with connects with the east-west N125 highway to Lagos and Faro.

Bus Travel in Portugal

There are buses from Sagres to Portimao, Salema and Lagos. There are also local buses to Cabo de São Vicente.

There are long-distance buses to Aljezur (45 minutes), Sines (3 hours, 35 minutes) and Lisbon Sete Rios (4 hours, 10 minutes).

There are also presently 12 daily bus departures from Lagos to Lisbon run by EVA or Rede Expressos arriving at Sete Rios bus station. The journey takes around 4 hours. Check www.rede-expressos.pt for the latest details on times and fares.