Portimao

First the blue sea and its gently lapping waves. Then fine, golden sands framed by cliffs and rocks. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of an international tourism destination. This is the Algarve of beach holidays in the sun. Portimao and its municipality have more to offer though. A rich heritage of historical monuments. The eternal natural beauty of the Ria de Alvor. The charm of cultivated fields, of slopes covered with pine trees and wild flowers. The allure of walking up into the hills and looking down on the Algarve from a new perspective.

Visiting Portimao

The white contour of a church on a hilltop. Narrow streets of the old fishermen and tradesmen quarter. Some aspects that identify the character of this city, old of many centuries. The presence of the sea, the immense beach known by the name of Praia da Rocha.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao (Our Lady of the Conception)

Situated on a hilltop, this church has for centuries been a distinctive feature of the city skyline. First built in the 15th century, it was rebuilt in the 18th and extensively renovated in the 19th. Of the original structure all that remains is a fine gothic doorway with decorated capitals, a gargoyle and buttresses. The interior consists of three naves. On the high altar is an impressive carved and gilded retable with baroque decoration. Among the various statues, that of St. Peter the Apostle (16th century) stands out, along with four crucifixes made of ivory and lignum vitae. There are fonts in the Manueline style (16th century) and an ashlar of glazed tiles of diverse origin (17th century).

\2\ Jesuit College
This austere and majestic edifice was built on the orders of Diogo Goncalves, a nobleman who made his fortune in the Far East and is buried in a tomb made of various marble colour types, inside the church. Construction work continued from 1660 to 1707 and the church needed major repairs after the earthquake of 1755.

The facade is made up of three sections. The section corresponding to the church is higher than the other two and has a curved pediment. The right-hand section has a Manueline doorway (16th century). The church, which is the biggest in the Algarve, consists of a single nave, like a large hall, and is typical of its kind. The high altar and lateral altars contain gilded carvings (beginning of the 18th century) which are of interest for their profuse decoration, with a Renaissance statue of the Virgin and Child (16th century)
and others dating from the 17th/18th centuries. The side altars contain a statue of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety) and a crucifixion of Senhor Jesus dos Milagres (Lord Jesus of Miracles) (17th century). At the head of the nave, in a glass-fronted alcove, is a large-scale statue of Senhor dos Aflitos (The Lord of the Afflicted).

[~3~1 Monastery of Sao Francisco (St. Francis)

Built in the 16th century, the monastery was severely damaged in 1755 and again in a fire in 1884. Now abandoned, the church, cloister and chapter house nonetheless display some interesting architectural features.

\J\ Chapel of Sao Jose (St. Joseph)

This building, with its plain facade and curved pediment, is located in the old part of the city, opposite the naval shipyards and the "Largo da Barca", which was where the ferry across the river would dock in the days before the bridge was built.

Portimao Old town

All that is left of medieval Portimao are a few stretches of the city walls now hidden by houses. The old town is dominated by the architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: houses on two storeys, with wrought iron balconies and ornate stonework around windows and doors, decorated with balustrades of stone and ceramics and walls covered with tiles. The old palace of the Viscounts ofBivar (18th century), a building of fine classical lines, is now home to the municipal council.

To savour the spirit of Portimao, there is nothing better than to sit in the shade of the trees in the Manuel Bivar gardens and forget about time, to watch the fishing boats and pleasure craft motor past and to walk through streets and squares that exude the ambience of an active, hard-working town which has succeeded in keeping pace with progress.

[2] Abicada
A Roman archaeological site at the confluence of two rivers. There is a lst/4th century villa with several rooms and a peristyle decorated with coloured mosaics bearing geometric patterns and stylised designs.
[3] Alcalar
An important Neolithic/ /Chalco-lithic burial ground (2,000/1,600 B.C) with graves of several types, from megalithic chambers to tombs with false cupolas and side alcoves. There is another burial ground nearby at Monte Canelas.
\T\ Mexilhoeira Grande
An old village, traditionally sustained by agriculture and by the resources of the Ria de Alvor.
Main Church - This church is in the Renaissance style (16th century) but has two side doors that are Manueline. The main doorway is extremely solemn, with a triangular pediment. The interior consists of three naves, held up by columns with
ornate bases and capitals. The triumphal arch is decorated with motifs from the world of nature and a coat of arms. There is a panel depicting the Assumption on the high altar. The Capela do Santissimo (Chapel of the Most Holy), boasts a high relief showing the figure of the Eternal Father and a low relief of St. Peter and St. Paul. There is a collection of statues and objects used in religious ceremonies.

15 The Arade Estuary
For thousands of years, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, Normans and Crusaders sailed up the river towards the city of Silves, intent on trade or conquest. Visitors today can take the same course in a boat hired from Portimao. The shady groves along the banks make good places to stop off and relax, as does the island of Nossa Senhora do Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary), where the ruins of an old chapel are still to be seen.

Big game fishing and much more

Portimao is one of the main big game centres in the Algarve, offering the chance to catch fighting swordfish and other big fish. There are also facilities for sailing, wind-surfing, para-sailing, water-skiing and scuba-diving. The golf course set among the pines of Penina is internationally renowned. With courses at Alvor and Vau too, keen golfers are spoilt for choice.

Popular crafts

Wicker and cane baskets, hats, mats and baskets made of palm leaves and twisted "esparto" grasses, lace and embroidery, copper utensils, domestic and decorative earthenware: these are among the unassuming treasures that the craftsmen and women of Portimao and its municipality continue to make using traditional materials, motifs and techniques.

Stained-glass windows and porcelain ornaments are evidence of more craft recent trends and of an unfailing desire to work by hand to make things of beauty.

\T\ Fortress of Santa Catarina de Ribamar (St Catherine of Ribamar)
Along with the fort of St. John of Arade, across the water in Ferragudo, this fortification constituted Portimao's defences against raiding corsairs and pirates.

Built in the 17th/18th centuries in an excellent strategic position, it affords splendid views of the sea, river, beaches and cliffs. A great place to be at sunset. Inside is an old chapel dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria.