WELLNESS
   SPA SUITE

Portugal’s History

Welcome to Portugal
An ever-present ancient tradition expressed by a very friendly and spontaneous smile that could make a casual meeting a friendship for life. This, on its own, is enough to make a trip to Portugal an irresistible temptation.
Geography
Situated in the extreme southwest corner of Europe, Portugal occupies roughly one-sixth of the Iberian Peninsula and has a population of just over 10 million. Spain is the only neighbouring country. South and west meet the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelagos of Madeira and Açores of volcanic origin are part of its territory.
Mainland Portugal has a pleasant climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. In the Spring the country erupts in wild flowers as warmer days set in. Although most visitors choose the summer months to visit Portugal, autumn, in many ways, is the best season four touring and sightseeing. This is a mellow, fruitful time of year with the countryside a collage of brown, gold and red. Seekers of mild, sunny climes fly to the Algarve where many resorts remain alive in the winter. For golfers too, the coolest months of the year are the most appealing. January and February also see the spectacular blossoming of almond trees right across southern Portugal.
There are many national parks and nature reserves which are a refuge for rare and protected species of flora and fauna, an example of which is the flamingo and stork observatory on the Sado estuary.
Lisbon, an ancient capital of Europa
On the river Tejo (Tagus) valley lays the capital of Portugal, Lisboa (Lisbon). Notable for its immense natural light and charm as well as exquisite architecture, Lisbon exudes warmth and geniality.
Narrow streets of the centuries-old Alfama quarter lead up to the city’s most famous landmark, the Castelo de São Jorge. From here visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Lisbon and the river Tejo (Tagus). It is a unique experience to ascend the Lisbon slopes on peaceful lifts by tram, watching façades decorated with romantic ceramic tiles.
Equally fascinating is the Bairro Alto, an old residential district popular for its many bars, typical restaurants and Fado houses. It was from here that Amália Rodrigues, referred to as “Our Lady of Lisbon”, opened up Portugal to the rest of the world taking Fado, the Portuguese language and its poetry to every corner of the world.
In its golden era, Lisbon was visited by many rich merchants with treasures from Venice and distant corners of its empire. The city was indeed one of the greatest maritime centres in history. Spices from the East, porcelain, pearls and silks from Asia, coffee, diamonds and gold from the Americas were traded in Lisbon. Today, Lisbon is still an exciting, luminous city. It hosted the EXPO 98 which marked the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s journey to India. Lisbon welcomed the world to its doorstep and visitors became in love with the city.
Lisboans claim that Ulysses founded their city, others say that Phoenicians or the Carthaginians were the first settlers. By 205B.C. Lisbon became a Roman province. After the Visigoths the Moors conquered the city in 714. 1143 D. Afonso Henriques was accepted as the first king of Portugal and in 1179 the Pope recognized the independence of Portugal. The Reconquista by Christians to the Moors in Portugal was completed by king Afonso III, who reigned from 1248 to 1279 and in 1256 declared Lisbon the capital of Portugal.
1415 Ceuta in northern Morocco was captured and Portugal started its exploration of the African coast. Using the Caravela, a new type of light sailing vessel especially adapted for Atlantic voyages, Portuguese navigators sailed to all continents and the golden era of Portuguese expansion begins and the first School of Navigation is founded in Sagres.
1487-8 Bartolomeu Dias became the first to sail around the southern end of Africa, opening the sea route to the Orient. 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas ensures Portugal’s possession of Brasil and 1497-9 Vasco da Gama made the first sea voyage to India.

From richest nation in Europe, Portugal became a Spanish province under king Phillip II of Spain, as the Portuguese Royal family had died out. Its sea dominancy faded away and colonies would gradually be lost.
In 1755 a devastating tsunami hits Lisbon and the Algarve, Lagos in particular. Tidal waves of 15 meters shook the capitals of Europe and as far as Asia Minor the great earthquake was felt.
The Portuguese Prime Minister Marquês de Pombal rebuilds the city with a modern touch. Pombal created a city of wide, symmetrical boulevards leading into handsome squares dominated by fountains and statuary. Black-and-white mosaic sidewalks border elegant avenue. Old and new are harmoniously combined becoming Lisbon one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Handicraft
The widespread use of Ceramic Tiles is something which can be said to be uniquely Portuguese. The Portuguese word “azulejo” (tile) derives from the Arabic “al zulaycha” which means “polished stone”. In the last half of the 17th century the use of various colours was abandoned in favour of blue and white. Ancient cloisters, old churches and facades of residential buildings exhibit original works of art. Important contemporary work are the murals in the underground stations at Colégio Militar,( by Manuel Cargaleiro), Alto dos Moinhos (by Júlio Pomar) and Cidade Universitária (by Vieira da Silva). A special recommendation is to visit the National Ceramic Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo), housed in the former convent of Madre de Deus in Lisbon which traces the development and history of this particular art form in Portugal.
Attractive Pottery can be found in most local markets and small traditional local potteries (olarias) throughout the country. There is a great variety of wares which include the excellent, practical brown earthenware, brightly coloured figurines from Barcelos (bonecos), intricate hand-painted designs in red clay from Estremoz and fine porcelain. The finest porcelain in Portugal, famous for its delicacy, is made at Vista Alegre. The factory is well worth visiting for its museum that charts the evolution of the art. From the traditional faience of Coimbra to the very unusual black and dark grey pottery from Vila Real, exquisite works of art can be appreciate. In the Algarve, Porches pottery was founded in 1968 to revive a local craft and preserve ancient Iberian and Moorish patterns. Each piece is hand-glazed and painted in a free-flowing style, in blue, green and turquoise.

Winemaking
Portugal is one of Europe’s most exciting winemaking countries and the world’s seventh largest wine-producing country. Portugal is very rich in grape varieties, many of them unique. White grapes and black grapes make wonderful special Wine Reservas of whites, reds, rose and vinho verde.
September is the start of the Vindima (the vintage) season. Grapes are harvested and crushed to wine in a spirit of festivity, especially in the port-growing Douro.
Portugal’s best known wine is Port. Port is made in the Douro Valley from grapes grown on narrow terraces blasted from granite rocks. Wine cellars in the traditional Quintas keep old secrets safe. Vintage port, Ruby Port, Tawny Port and other Colheita Ports are a delight to wine lovers.
UNESCO has recognised the World Heritage status of the countryside of the vine-growing Douro valley where the famous Porto wine is produced.
The Douro in the North and Alentejo in the South are the main wine-producing areas in Portugal.
The recently demarcated region of the Algarve is known for its ”medronho”, white and red table wines and it’s the region where Sir Cliff Richard produces wine from his estate. Lagoa produces the best wine of the region and is a suitable accompaniment for the local fish and seafood dishes.