To The Edge of The Earth

In the days before Columbus, when the world was presumed to be flat, Cape Sagres at the southernmost tip of Portugal was deemed to be the closest spot to the edge of the Earth.  Prince Henry the Navigator, determined to broaden Europe's horizons and spread Catholicism, founded his navigators' school here and sent sailors into the unknown. Even though it was a warm and sunny day we packed our sweaters and winter jackets as we were told the wind can drop the temperatures dramatically. 
 Sagres is still a fishing town with its protected harbor but this is about as pretty as it gets.

A 5 minute drive from Sagres is Cape Sagres and its Fort.  This former "End of the World" is a scraggy, windswept, wedge-shaped point that juts out into the Atlantic.  In 1420, Prince Henry the Navigator established his navigation school here but it was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.  Inside the fortress, rebuilt in the 18th century, are a few buildings including the rebuilt Church of our Lady of Grace and access to several paths that take you around the barren, windswept granite point.  
 A local sitting on the edge of a cliff fishing.  Not sure how easy it is to bring your catch up. 

 Looking at the majestic, craggy bluff that was the end of the known world in the 15th century.

 A 10 minute drive away is Cape St. Vincent, which is the actual southernmost tip of Europe with its Lighthouse.  We are wearing our winter coats as the wind makes it very chilly.

The Lighthouse was built in 1846 and you could see its oil lamp from 10km (6mi) away.  Today it has one of the strongest beams in Europe and can be seen 100km (60mi) away. 

Looking back at the very imposing Cape St. Vincent cliff faces that rise 75m (246ft) almost vertically above the sea.

 On our way back we stopped off at a lovely sheltered surfing beach called Praia do Beliche.  Off came our coats and sweaters as we headed down the 200 plus steps to the sandy beach below.
    
 We walked the length of the beach and watched the surfers ride the waves feeling good that we were  back in the warm sunshine.
 In the evening we watched as the full moon rose above the waters outside our apartment.  What an amazing day.

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