This morning I hiked 1.5 miles from the Memmo resort hotel to Fort Sagres, where I explored a fort built in the late 14th century and modified many times since. I then hiked 4 miles from Fort Sagres to Cape St Vincent. This made it a very long and tiring day. Of course I took a bus back to the hotel.
At the end of Fort Sagres is a modern lighthouse, still used today.
Prince Henry the Navigator started the school of navigation and map making in the early 15th century in Fort Sagres. This circle, which is sliced into 28 wedges, was built by Prince Henry to teach navigation but no one has been able to figure out how it was used. The buildings in the background is a gift store (right) and museum (left).
Sagres is surrounded by 200 ft cliffs which is very impressive. It is written that the earthquake of 1755, that destroyed most of Lisbon, created a tidal wave that breached the top of the cliffs. (Upper right) Cape St Vincent as seen from Fort Sagres.
Light house in Cape St Vincent was built in the late 19th century. Of course, after hiking six miles in the Portuguese heat, I needed a beer.
Before I left, I was told to expect cold weather and rain. It has been unbelievably warm and I have not seen a drop of rain in five days.
The cliffs around Cape St Vincent are beautiful. The sound of the waves and the blue water made for an inspiring afternoon.
Sagres is a cute little town that caters to the beach and surfer crowd. I did find two micro brewers. So if you do not surf or drink beer you can see everything in this town and surrounding area in less then a day. The resort I am staying at is a bonus. it has two nice restaurants and a nice bar.