Boasting magnificent beaches, beautiful landmarks, and a stunning sandy coastline, Albufeira may be a small city but it offers a large wealth of historic sights for you to visit. To help you decide where to start, I’ve picked out the 10 most significant historic sites in Albufeira’s Old Town for you to explore.
Sant’Ana Doorway
This doorway is one of the three castle entrance gates and alludes to the old church of Sant’Ana, which disappeared in the earthquake of November 1st, 1755 (together with the castle).
Saint Vicente’s Statue
This monument is located in the Largo Jacinto d’Ayet square by Sant’Ana’s church. Saint Vicente was born in 1590 in Albufeira. His parent’s death led him into the priesthood after which he left for Mexico where he was accepted into the Order of Santo Agostinho. After many difficulties, he lives out his dream and goes to preach the Christian faith in Japan. He was imprisoned in Nagasaki for two years and tortured in order to force him to give up his Christian beliefs. Since he refused to do it, he was then caged and taken to his final torture – the bonfire. On September 3rd, 1632; Saint Vicente died while raising a crucifix and calling out “Long live the Faith of Jesus Christ!”. On that day every year, the festivities in honor of São Vicente take place in Albufeira.
The Bell Tower
The Bell Tower was constructed in 1869, it is a part of the Parish Church. Access to the top of the tower is by a 28-meter stairway which is topped with an eight-bell carillon.
Saint Sebastian Church
São Sebastião Church was built during the mid-18th century, having been rebuilt on the site of a 16th-century church. It is located in Miguel Bombarda square. From the outside one may see the dome and two doorways, the sides of which are adorned with stone masonry in Manueline style, the main ornamentation being an excellent example of Baroque style. It features a mix of architectural styles that made it a popular inspiration destination.
Parish Church
This church is situated on Igreja Nova Street and dates back to the 18th century. It was built to replace the former one which collapsed during the 1755 earthquake. The new Parish Church is Neo-classical in style, built with only one nave. It has 4 lateral chapels, the baptismal chapel, the choir, two pulpits, and two lateral rooms.
On the 15th of July, 1800 Parish Church was consecrated to Our Lady of Conception, patron saint of Albufeira, by the Bishop of the Algarve, Francisco Gomes de Avelar.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is a symbol of Albufeira. During the 19th century, this tower was adorned with an iron crown that holds the bell. Despite its age, the bell continues to chime every hour. The ironwork at the top is such an evocative piece of design, especially when illuminated. Well worth checking out if you are in the area.
Albufeira Battery
The Battery stands on the cliffs of Bateria Street, at a height of about 41m. It may date from the 16th century when King Sebastian visited Albufeira in 1573 to check the artillery equipment sent to this town. The equipment was to be used to protect its population and extensive fig trees from the constant attacks of Moorish pirates, French and English corsairs. Equipped with 3 bronze cannons, the Battery was part of an advanced line of protection for the castle. Although almost entirely ruined, the underground compartment – the armory – that was used to store ammunition/powder can still be seen.
The Republic Square
In Praça da República (formerly Square of Arms nowadays Republic), besides the Municipal Archaeology Museum, you can find the old jail building, currently the Albufeira Music Conservatory.
The Republic Square roughly corresponds to the Castle’s interior. The medieval fortification of Albufeira (al – Buayra) played strategic importance in the maritime defense of the Islamic Algarve and its capital Silves. It was formed by a Castle built in the Republic square of which only one of the towers and the protective walls of the hill remain.
Archeological site – Residential structures and silos
Archaeological excavations carried out in 2000 have unveiled traces of different periods from the Middle Ages (Islamic) to the 18th and 19th centuries. Residential structures correspond to a part of Islamic houses and silos (12th – 13th centuries). These structures continue under the current buildings. Because of the long period of the conquest of southern Portugal by Christian troops, the Islamic population had to build structures for food and water storage in their homes. In all the houses there were one or several silos (cereal or dried fruit storage deposits) excavated in the rock substrate in circular form and covered by a stone lid.
Water cisterns were also built, such as the one found on the Republic Square, located inside the courtyard of the house.
In the silos, archeologists discovered fig seeds, one of the most important productions in the municipality before and even after the Arab occupation. For centuries, the fig was the target of piracy for its commercial value.
This archeological site is a small part of the story of Albufeira.
Cais Herculano (Quay)
Cais Herculano was built in 1930 as the place of the old Fish Market. It was transferred to its new facilities, Caliços, in the late 1980s. All that remains of the old structure are columns, which were used from old street lamps, and the tiled roof, although it is no longer the original.
All of these historical sights are very close to each other, so if you want to read about other places to visit around the area, check out my previous post “7 things to do in Algarve, Portugal”.
