15.12.2016 - Sagres

Another view across the lagoon to Lagos and onwards to Sagres, 33 km away.

Now we have reached the southwestern tip of Portugal. Today, we explored the huge, well-preserved, or rather restored fortress in Sagres. This is where Henry the Navigator founded a maritime school around 1460. Still visible today is the over 40-meter-wide wind rose, which was only rediscovered in 1928.

The fortress extends to the very high cliffs on three sides. The sounds coming from the partly hollowed out rocks underground are impressive in their volume, sounding like roaring. It is incredible how forcefully the waves crash against the cliffs here.

Today it is quite windy, but dry and still warm enough with 18 degrees Celsius.