LAGOS
Lagos has certainly played a very important part in the discovery of many parts of the world, It was from this very harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic and epic voyage of discovery but it’s history dates back far further than that.
The Romans gave the name of “Lacobriga” to the town although it was probably occupied much earlier.
When the Moors came they then called the town "Zawaia" Although captured from the Moors in 1189 it was not until 1249 that it was finally conquered by Dom Afonso III making it part of Portugal and giving it the name of "Lagus".
It was from Lagos that many maritime expeditions set sail to discover the world and many at the orders of Prince Henry the Navigator.
In 1587 Sir Francis Drake of England failed in his attempt to raid Lagos and so sailed on to Sagres where he sacked the historic home of Henry the Navigator.
Lagos is now an important tourist town that still has many architectural signs of its ancient and somewhat controversial past with a building dating back to around 1445 that has been recorded as being Europe’s first building to be used as a slave market.
The Town walls do for the most part remain although many sections having been restored.
Guarding the entrance to the Harbour is the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira " fort at the Flag point" who's real name is actually Fortaleza Nossa Senhora da Penha de franca which was constructed at the end of the 17th Century at the mouth of the river which flows around Lagos, The fort because of it's strategic position provides an ocean gateway defending the city of Lagos from attack by enemy ships entering the bay.
Lagos has many shops ranging from local crafts to fine goods from all parts of the world. For those foodies amongst us it has a fine market on 2 floors. The ground floor being all fish with a very wide selection including some very strange and unusual types.
With thanks to Gareth Williams
http://members.virtualtourist.com/Balam
