We also
have offices in
Portimão
so we are close to you all the way.
Portimão - History
It traces its origins back to a small trading port of the Phoenicians,
Greeks and Carthaginians. Some historians have indicated that the place
was originally the famous Portus Hannibalis named by the famous Roman
general, Hannibal Barca. During the following Moorish occupation they
renamed the place “Burj Munt”. Located at the mouth of the River Arade it
provides a natural harbour and has at times been known in its past as a
home for smugglers and pirates. The river also provides the sea access to
the up-river ancient city of Silves which was once the capital of the
Algarve during the Moorish occupation. At this time the place was named
Porcimunt but later in 1504 it was recognized as a town and granted the
name “Vila Nova de Portimão” and became part of the possessions of the
Castelo Branco family until the 17th Century. Much later it was commonly
renamed as Portimão and was extensively developed in the 19th century to
become one of the most important centres on the Algarve of the fishing and
canning industry until the early 1980s when the recession drove the
remaining factories out of business.
Portimão - Description
The town with some 35,000 inhabitants is essentially commercially
orientated and was the main shopping town of the whole Algarve during the
1970s and 1980s. The town's church that is the last attractive building
surviving in the town dates from 1476 but it under went many alterations
as from 1717 onwards. The town council appears to have adopted a policy of
demolishing architecturally interesting buildings in favour of
modernization. Happily, it also has a very active cultural department and
there are always different forms of events happening throughout the year.
The Municipal Museum is housed in an old sardine canning factory and here
regular exhibitions are held that cover art, history, and general culture,
all of a local and national content. A boat Marina was recently opened
adjoining Praia da Rocha and this adds the fascinating sight of the many
boats at anchor and a further choice of bars and restaurants in which to
pass the evening. When approaching the town from the direction of Faro
there is a choice of two bridges to cross. The old one runs along past the
harbour but we would recommend take the new bridge. It is so well balanced
in design that it can be seriously considered among the most pleasing
bridges to the eye built in Portugal in the 19th Century. On the river
front near the square with the cafés many different boat tours and deep
sea-fishing outings can be booked.
Portimão - Nearby Locations
In the Portimão area is Armação de Pera with a small 18th Century fortress
and a popular location for tourists with its long sandy beach. The beach
village of Alvor is another popular tourist location. Still maintaining
its village character with its 16th Century Parish Church its narrow
streets teem with life in the tourist season. The village of Carvoeiro is
a small charming beach location that is now surrounded by comfortable
self-catering villas. The tourist trade happily not yet overpowers the
small delightful fishing village of Ferragudo, lying just across the river
from Portimão. Slightly inland is Lagoa a small administrative town. Praia
de Rocha and Praia de Vau are seriously devoted to offering tourist
accommodation with the added attractions of good beaches and active
nightlife. The inland city of Silves and its truly interesting historical
background is worth a visit. Included in the many true stories are the
battles between the Moors, the Crusaders, and the Portuguese.
Unfortunately, the city was for the most part destroyed by the earthquake
of 1755. The Moorish occupiers considered the city at the turn of the 11th
Century as the centre of all true culture in the Iberian Peninsular.
Near to the town of Portimão are several sites of interest such as the
Caves of Estombar, the mosaic floor of the Roman villa at Figueira, and at
Alcalar the recently well restored burial tombs from the Dolman period
(around 3.500 BC). Here, evidence of quite a large settlement of the 4th
and 5th millennium BC which is undergoing investigation.
