Lagos
Part of the pre-history of the southwestern Algarve, the area occupied by the municipality of Lagos has been inhabited since the distant past, as various archaeological sites bear witness. The city’s old name - Lacobriga - indicates that its origins are Celtic and date back to approximately 2,000 B.C., and for a long period it was a port visited by Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians.
During the Roman period the city prospered and grew, and it became necessary to build a dam to supply water and a bridge to span the Bensafrim river. In the 10th century the Arabs built a ring of ramparts, but this was not enough to stop the Christians conquering the city in 1249.
The 15th century was a golden age for Lagos. For approximately 40 years, thanks to its location across the sea from Africa, the city became a port of departure and arrival for the vessels that set off year after year on voyages of discovery along the coast of that continent. A centre for trade in ivory, gold, silver and other exotic merchandise brought back from Africa, Lagos attracted merchants and bankers, Portuguese and foreign alike, and poured its wealth into new churches and sumptuous houses.
New city walls, built in the 16th century, marked the urban expansion of the city, which from 1573 was an Episcopal see and residence of the governors of the Algarve. These defences were reinforced in the 17th century, with the construction of forts at strategic points.
The earthquake of 1755 and the tidal wave that followed in its wake destroyed much of the city, which only began to recover its former prosperity in the mid- 19th century with the rise of the fish canning industry and the return of trade. Today Lagos is a dynamic and bustling city, proud of its past.
During the Roman period the city prospered and grew, and it became necessary to build a dam to supply water and a bridge to span the Bensafrim river. In the 10th century the Arabs built a ring of ramparts, but this was not enough to stop the Christians conquering the city in 1249.
The 15th century was a golden age for Lagos. For approximately 40 years, thanks to its location across the sea from Africa, the city became a port of departure and arrival for the vessels that set off year after year on voyages of discovery along the coast of that continent. A centre for trade in ivory, gold, silver and other exotic merchandise brought back from Africa, Lagos attracted merchants and bankers, Portuguese and foreign alike, and poured its wealth into new churches and sumptuous houses.
New city walls, built in the 16th century, marked the urban expansion of the city, which from 1573 was an Episcopal see and residence of the governors of the Algarve. These defences were reinforced in the 17th century, with the construction of forts at strategic points.
The earthquake of 1755 and the tidal wave that followed in its wake destroyed much of the city, which only began to recover its former prosperity in the mid- 19th century with the rise of the fish canning industry and the return of trade. Today Lagos is a dynamic and bustling city, proud of its past.
visiting lagos
HISTORICAL CENTER
BEACHES
OTHER
- Church of Santo António (St. Anthony)
- Church of St. Sebastião (St. Sebastian)
- Church of Santa Maria or Misericórdia (Holy Mary or Misericórdia)
- Slave Market
- Town Walls
- Ponta da Bandeira Fort
- Lagos Municipal Museum
BEACHES
- Meia Praia
- Praia de Porto de Mós
- Praia Dona Ana
OTHER
- Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse and clifs
