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 Vila Real de Santo António - History
The origin of the town was as a small fishing port and probably
dates back to Phoenician times. Due to the topographical flatness
of the area the neighbouring hill of Castro Marim lent itself
to a stronger fortified location. This frontier town with Spain was
specially designed and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755 by the
Marquês de Pombal, an important minister in the 18th Century
who redesigned the centre of the City of Lisbon.
Vila Real de Santo António - Description
Today, these townhouses around the main square are showing serious
degradation with the passing of time. With the construction to the
north of a new bridge in 1991 across the River Guadiana
connecting Seville in Spain with the Algarve, the obvious
diminishing of the popularity of this town will have further effect.
Between this town and the Ocean is the popular beach resort area
named Monte Gordo that offers the tourist kilometres of sea
washed beach lined with a pine forest. The population of
approximately 14,000 inhabitants tends to gain their living either
in the tourist industry, fishing, or trading across the river with
their Spanish neighbours. It is a very pleasant and relaxing
experience to cross the river by ferryboat to visit the Spanish
town of Ayamonte, or take a tourist trip upstream to the
charming small Portuguese town of Alcoutim.
Vila Real de Santo António - Nearby Locations
North of Vila Real de Santo António is Castro Marim
that due to its location has played a considerable part in the
history of Portugal. This later town was originally chosen as the
founding headquarters in 1319 of the 14th Century movement of the
Order of Christ. Although the buildings are now in ruins from the
effects of the 1755 earthquake it still has the unusual feature of
having a castle within a castle. In the 17th Century a stronger
and more defensive stronghold was built on a hilltop to the north
that also still remains. The castle acted as a well-known haven to
escapees in the early days of the Spanish Inquisition. From the
walls the view is to the south across the flat lands that are now
a nature reserve for birds and plants and is known as the
Reserva Natural do Sapal. Near to Vila Real de Santo
António is the purely holiday destinations of Manta Rota,
Monte Gordo and Praia Verde, all providing long
sandy beaches. Inland, and up river is the interior small
administrative town of Alcoutim with its ruins of a 14th Century
castle and its local museum. This small town looks across the
River Guadiana at the Spanish town of Sanlúcar. It
was at this town that Dom Fernando I signed in 1371 a peace
treaty with King Enrique II de Castile. Even further up river is
the town of Mértola with its 13th Century castle ruins.
The Phoenicians founded this historic town as an inland port and
later successfully used by both the Romans and Moors. Perched on
a high spur overlooking the River Guadiana this town has
many vestiges of the past and a museum housing one of Portugal's
best collections of Islamic art. Back on the coast the small
beachside village of Cacela-a-Velha dates back to
Phoenician times and has an 18th Century Fort that enjoys a
natural lagoon between itself and the protecting sandbar.
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Vila Real de Santo António Weather Forecast |
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Vila Real de Santo António Events
Feira de Vila R. de Sta. António - February
Festival do Teatro (Theatre) - April
Festival da Musica - May and June
Festival de Folcore - September
Beach Fair - 10th to 12th October
Municipal Holiday: 13th of May
Vila Real de Santo António Map
Town Map
Vila Real de Santo António Distances
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
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 Useful Vila Real de Santo António Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 281 511 030
Fire Brigade - 281 512 777
Police - 281 430 66
Emergency Treatment - 281 511 374
Ambulance - 281 512 777
Tourist Office - 281 544 495
Vila Real de Santo António Beaches
Praia da Cacela
Praia da Manta Rota
Praia de Retur
Praia da Rocha
Praia de Monte Gordo
Praia Verde
Vila Real de Santo António Accommodation
Hotels
· Holiday Apartments
· Holiday Resorts
Vila Real de Santo António Golf Courses
www.algarvegolf.net
Vila Real de Santo António Property
Estate Agents
Vila Real de Santo António Restaurants
Selected List in Vila Real de Santo António Area
Vila Real de Santo António Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
Vila Real de Santo António Golf Courses
Castro Marim
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
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