Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in spring, hundreds of nesting egrets. The surrounding area is brilliant with wild orchids in
spring. On a clear day you can see east to Carvoeiro and west to Sagres.
Parque Zoológico de Lagos
( 282 680 100;
www.zoolagos.com
;
Quinta Figueiras; adult/child €16/12; 10am-7pm Apr-Sep, 10am-5pm Oct-
Mar, restaurant closed Mon; )
This zoo is a shady 3-hectare kid-pleaser, with many small
primates and a children's farm housing domestic animals. It's near the village of Barão de
São João, 8km west of Lagos.
ZOO
Town Walls
Just south of Praça do Infante is a restored section of the stout town walls, built (atop
earlier versions) during the reigns of both Manuel I and João III in the 16th century, when
the walls were enlarged to the existing outline. They extend intermittently, with at least six
bastions, for about 1.5km around the central town.
LANDMARK
CHURCH
Igreja de Santa Maria
(Praça do Infante)
Igreja de Santa Maria was built during the 15th and 16th centuries and re-
tains a 16th-century entrance; the rest of the remaining structure dates largely from the
mid-19th century when it was restored after fire. Don't overlook the strange orange and
purple battling angels mural behind the altar.
Rua da Barroca
HISTORIC SITE
Rua da Barroca once formed the boundary between the town and the sea and retains some
Arabic features.
Castelo dos Governadores
(Governors Castle)
Castelo dos Governadores was built by the Arabs. After the Reconquista in
the 13th century, the Algarve's military government was established here in the 14th cen-
tury. It's said that the ill-fated, evangelical Dom Sebastião attended an open-air Mass here
in the castle, before leading them to a crushing defeat at Alcácer-Quibir (Morocco).
HISTORIC BUILDING
