Forte de São Luís de Almádena

Forte de São Luís de Almádena sits on a rocky promontory, midway between the villages of Burgau and Saleema, in the western Algarve.  The fort was built in 1632, by order of King João III, in order to protect the local tuna fishing community from raids by corsairs and pirates.  It was finally abandoned in 1849, after sustaining considerable damage in the earthquake of 1755.  The ruins include 2 ramparts, a moat, gates and a barracks.

Looking back towards Burgau
Remnants of the barracks
Stonework detail
Along the coast to Saleema
A peephole

I considered myself very fortunate to discover these ruins.  We’d been strolling on the golden beach at Burgau, and as we left the village a sign pointed along the coast towards them.  A slight change of plan and 5 minutes later we were there.  In golden silence we surveyed the coast in all directions.  As I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun, I was sure I spotted the masts of a pirate ship.

You’ll realise, of course, that it’s a Thursday and we’re all waiting for Paula to come back and be Special, as she always is.

93 comments

  1. What a glorious location for a fort! I can feel the warmth of the sun through the openings and yes sunglasses for me please. Would love to explore what seems like a more remote and quiet location. Tourism Portugal should be knocking on your door Jo. You definitely convince me to return. xo

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    1. Spring is amazing for the wildflowers, Draco. You can go orchid hunting up on the Rocha da Pena. I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy that. It’s so arid when Summer is over. I’ve never seen it so dry as this October, desperately waiting for rain. But you know, I can find beauty there any time. I love it! 🙂 🙂

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    1. Hiya sweetheart! How are you doing? I’ve just spent a delicious 5 weeks in the Algarve and am struggling to get back in the groove here. I loved living the outdoor life. All bundled up indoors now 😦 On either side of this fortress are 2 developments, Gabe. Burgau is small because the landscape doesn’t allow it to grow much and it’s a nice place. 🙂 🙂

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  6. I do hope you are not sulking again? My excuse for being late is that I have been out all afternoon and only switched the computer on half an hour ago! Sitting in a draft here which probably explains why I have had a stiff neck today, so I shall have to move my machine elsewhere. Anyway, back to the post – you are such a romantic Jo, pirate ship indeed. Either that or you need to go to Specsavers 😉
    Lovely seascapes – funnily enough I was taking some myself this afternoon. No ruined castle though, just the remains of what might have been a pillbox. But you have reminded me that I did take some photos of a castle on the coast in September and I still haven’t written a post about it. (or a zillion other places visited during that month…) And I spied some lovely circular lichens on your ruined walls, at least I think they are lichens. And what a fabulous shimmering sea you caught in that first splendid opening photo.

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    1. I approve entirely of you being out in that good fresh air all afternoon. 🙂 🙂 I switched the laptop off about 11.20, thinking to myself Jude’ll be along in a bit. 🙂 We were watching a recording of Landscape Artist of the Year- one of Mick’s favourite programmes, and they were at Knaresborough, painting the viaduct scene. I’d had my share of exercise, walking into town and back, doing t’ai chi for an hour and a half and getting wet feet- not necessarily in that order, and I was tired. I can’t imagine the wonders you still have to surprise us with! I have more than a thousand photos sitting in folders and some I daren’t even download because my laptop keeps throwing a hissy fit. (wonder where it gets that from? 🙂 ) You do make me smile! Please don’t ever abandon me, Jude.

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  7. What a find! Reminds me a bit of Dubrovnik – only much more tumbledown – where there was a fairly tacky pirate ship cruising up and down. That first shot is superbly dramatic and I love the glimpses through window holes. Weekend approaching – at least here. Have a splendid one.

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      1. It’s just my husband and me this year, both recovering from either a cold (me) or a sinus infection (him), so nothing big planned. It’s a beautiful, sunny, relatively warm day, and it won’t be long until our daughters will be home for a nice, long Christmas stay. All good. 🙂

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      1. Links?! How odd. I have been updating the categories but that shouldn’t affect the links. ooh – I did amend two titles maybe that’s it. Sorry!

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    1. It’s a nice little cove, Andrew. We were heading out to Martinhal and broke the journey for a stroll and a coffee. 🙂 🙂 Can you believe Mick’s out doing garden maintenance this morning? 😦 This time last week we were heading for the Ilha.

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