SÃO BRÁS DE ALPORTEL
N 37° 09' 11"; W 7° 53' 49"
São Brás de Alportel is a municipality in the District of Faro in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 10,662, in an area of 153.37 km².
Far from the hustle and bustle, São Brás de Alportel is peaceful and the sea only appears on the horizon, in the higher lands. The essence of this destination lies in the colors of the Serra do Caldeirão and the Barrocal, in the design of cork oaks, arbutus trees and holm oaks, but it was the intersection of two roads, including the tourist EN2, that gave rise to the name “center of the universe”.
Today, far from the confusion, São Brás de Alportel, between the mountains and the Algarve barrocal, due to its geographical location, has always been a fundamental point for the movement of people and goods and even the largest cork producing municipality in Portugal. It is here that Estrada Regional 270, which crosses the interior of the Algarve, and Estrada Nacional 2, now internationally famous, intersect, which ends, further south, in Faro. It was thanks to the intersection that São Brás de Alportel came to be known locally as the “center of the universe”. To highlight the importance of the location, in 2020, the Casa da Memória on Estrada Nacional 2 was inaugurated, in the heart of São Sebastião Square. In the old cantoneiros' house, in addition to various historical elements, you are invited to taste the “traveler's tea”, as well as to taste various local products and leave messages and photographs in the “Cabide de Memórias” and in the “Visitor's Notebook”. .
Where the mountains kiss the sea
Stroll in the Verbena Garden, take a look at the main church and, in the churchyard, the view from the barrocal to the sea. Admire the village from the Castanhas viewpoint. Following the EN2, you reach the Alto da Arroteia viewpoint, for “one of the most beautiful landscapes” in the Algarve interior. The fresh air of the Serra do Caldeirão, the birdsong, the fountain, picnic area and café give life to Parque da Fonte Férrea, 5 km from the town. In a wooded area of the Serra do Caldeirão, in addition to the natural beauty and tranquility, understand the reason for the name, which comes from the railway waters that flow here with the Alportel river. The space has various support and snack equipment. Cross the bridge and the fillies. On the way up to Parises, access the Menta lagoon and the Alto da Ameixeira viewpoint, where “the mountains kiss the sea”.
Roman sidewalk
It is one of the pride of São Brás de Alportel and will be at the origin of the EN2. The “Calçadinha” dates back to Roman times and the journey to the past is made by walking along the ancient stones through a small circuit that starts at the Municipal Library. The subject of several archaeological works, there are two sections uncovered for careful observation.
Nature walks
Of the various routes marked in the municipality, the following are suggested: PR1 “Caminhos e Encruzilhadas de ir à Fonte” which for nine kilometers passes through old barrocal paths, in the area of Mesquita and Bengado, and the “Promenade to the Poente... in the twilight of Soalheira”, beautified by mills, cork oaks and holm oaks up to Alto da Arroteia, “where the sea peeks between the mountains”. Promoted by the Almargem Association, Via Algarviana (tel. 925482138) is another gem. Be sure to visit the Ribeira do Alportel Biodiversity Station, with a 2 km route, between the Vale Estacas site and Fonte da Tareja.
Discover the world of cork
From the cork oaks that dot the landscape in this region comes cork, an important local industry. To understand the process of transforming this material until it is ready to become wine or champagne corks, schedule a guided visit to Eco Fábrica da Cortiça (tel. 965561166). You can find out about this unique universe every week, from Monday to Friday, at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm
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