Albufeira, found
in the heart of Algarve, a wonderous shore area where the limestone
cliffs with their whimsical shapes alternate with splenderous sandy
grounds, has converted town into the most symbolic sign of regional
tourism. The unrestrained growth in hotel installations has caused
a radical development from what used to be the typical coastal
fishing village, but thank goodness it has not been wiped out.
Luckily enough, in the old part of the village, there are still
secret corners with their own character, streets made into pedestrian
walkways for an easier stroll around. And on the other hand, Albufeira
is just as cosmopolitan as any of the other places in the Algarve
region, with an explosive summer population of over 310,000 roaming
spirits.
At the brink
of a precipice, the old village huddles together, having to mention
three white churches from the 18th c.; the Saint Ana, the Matriz
and the Saint Sebastian which has been made into the Museum of
Sacred Art. From here you go down towards the commercial street
called 5 de Outubro ( 5th October), where lively restaurants spread
their chairs and tables out onto the terraces and the shops open
their, enticing us with their characteristic merchandise. This
same street continues on through a tunnel dug out in the rock,
leading us to the hot sandy beach. The pedestrian area goes on
along the Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco street, well accompanied
by beautiful gardens and more terraces. Slowly strutting along,
you are taken to the sea promenade and to the Republic Square
governed by the Clock Tower ( torre do Relogio) with its curious
iron foundry to hold the bell in place and the Municipal Museum
of Archaeology. Opening out like spokes on a whell from this square,
you can follow the picturesque Bateria Street, one of the most
typical ones, together with the Igreja Velha Street. On Henrique
Calado Street is the Mercy Chapel, Gothic in style and built over
an old Mosque. At the foothill, colourfully painted fishing boats
with wildlife, flowers and sea landscape- very original.On the
shore of the beach you discover a marginal pedestrain pathway taking
you to the Xorino cavern, a Moorish hideout in times of the struggle
to free Spain of Moorish rule; the Reconquest. A longer route can
be done by going along the Infante Dom Henrique Avenue, ending
up in the Sao Joao Fortress.
What´s
for fun ?
Easter is always
a special time and the week before Lent, there is the Carnival
de Loule where the Battle of Flowers sharing protaganism with a
parade of beautifully decorated religious floats are later joined
by music and dancing.
All over the
Algarve, Portugal´s southern most province,
there are rolling hills spotted with golf courses; three are
near Loule. And at this same golf clubs you can practise or
learn tennis. Another important sport or combination of watersports
that the tourists are well-attended to are water skiing, fishing,
scuba diving and boat rentals. The best recommendation is to
rent a boat with a skipper and have him take you around, bordering
the coast looking for unoccupied beaches or interesting grutes
and caves. Hunting has a special place among sports in Portugal
and the Algarve area has some hunting clubs. What would a beautiful
beach be without galloping on the back of a sleek horse in
the breeze at sunrise or sunset ? Various tourist resorts have
horses and riding classes for every level.
In and around Albufeira, Algarve
In the town of
Guia, on route N125, there is an entertaining Oceanographic Park
with seals, turtles, exotic birds, crocodiles, gigantic sharks
and dolphins to mention a few. To the north of Guia you run into
Algoz, with an original exhibition of tiles from Seville dating
back to the 16th c. and gold etched Roccoco altarpieces. Continuing
to the northeast is Algrave´s oldest town, Sives, established
in the 9th c. B.c. Even though Silves was important in Roman
times, it reached its peak with the Arabs, who made Silves the
capital of the Algarve region. You can get there by car, a rental
car from Albufeira is always on hand or by boat, navegating the
River Arada from Portimao; the same route the crusaders did any
centuries ago. The Ibne Ammar and Algar caves can be explored
or simply observe them and the noisy windmills as you float by.
The Arabs from Yemen made Silves a walled city and the castle
and the Cathedral ( Se in Portuguese ) dominate all, transmitting
a secret message about the history and poetry once written there.
There are still remains of the Arab reservoir water tanks from
the 13th c. which was the primitive system of irrigation. As
you leave Silves in direction to Sao Bartolomeu de Messines,
the Cross of Portugal satnds six metres high representing Jesus
Christ on the cross and on the other face, the Pieta; the Virgen
mary holding the body of Jesus Christ on her lap.
Craftsmanship at its best
In the Algarve region, the workmanship with palm leaves and wicker
such as the two-handled fruit basket and hats, the ceramic amphoras
or wooden chairs are some key pieces looked for while in this southern
area of Portugal.
Masterpieces
of Albufeiran Cuisine
But we cannot leave this coastal area without having tried the Portuguese
codfish in all its variations. The fishermen learned to conserve
it in the 16th c by salting it when out to sea so it would last longer.
Or a hot tasty clam soup or a rice made from a variety of seafood
like clams, cockles and squid. The red snapper, fresh tunafish or
sea bass are a morsel of delight for your tastebuds. With its luring
climate and tasty accompanying Oporto wine, just sit back, relax
and start trying these fish dishes, specially prepared in Albufeira,
Algarve region.
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