Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ST VINCENT
Although not much is known about the life of the Spanish-born St Vincent, his death is of such legendary stuff
that both Spain and Portugal claim him as their own. In Portugal he is considered the patron saint of wine and sea
voyages.
St Vincent was a Spanish preacher who was killed by the Romans in 304. During his torturous death (he was
burnt at the stake), he is said to have maintained such composure, praising God all the while, that he converted
several of his torturers on the spot. Following his martyrdom, his remains were gathered, at which point two dif-
fering accounts emerge. Spain claims his final resting place is in Ávila. Portugal claims that his remains washed
up on the shores of the Algarve, near Sagres, in a boat watched over by two protective ravens. A shrine in his
honour, which Muslim chronicles refer to as the Crow Church, became an object of Christian pilgrimage, though
it was destroyed by Muslim fanatics in the 12th century.
Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, had the remains moved by ship to Lisbon in 1173, again accompanied
by ravens. St Vincent became Lisbon's patron saint (his remains now rest in the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora). A
raven features in the city's coat of arms - some
lisboêtas
claim that ravens inhabited the church's bell tower for
years afterwards.
Salema
This charmingly small coastal resort has an easygoing atmosphere; it's set on a wide bay
17km west of Lagos, surrounded by developments that manage not to overwhelm it. It's
ideal for families, and there are several small, secluded beaches within a few kilometres -
Praia da Salema
by the village,
Praia da Figueira
to the west and
Boca do Rio
to the east. Dinosaur
prints exist in the area.
Sleeping
Quinta dos Carriços
( 282 695 201;
www.quintadoscarricos.com
; campsite per adult/tent/car €6/6/6, studio/apt €77/87; )
Just
1.5km north of Salema, this campground is in a peaceful, tree-filled setting with abundant
birdlife (no radios allowed!). It has studios and apartments and a designated nudist camp-
ing area.
CAMPGROUND
€
A Maré
( 282 695 165;
www.the-mare.com
;
s/d €64/80, self-catering apt €75-90)
Just off the main road into
town, this blue-and-white beach house has dated, but bright rooms, some with sea views,
a pretty garden and a guests' kitchen. It's a short stroll downhill to the beach. There's a
two-night minimum stay.
GUESTHOUSE
€€
