Algarve history travel guide 3
Continuing our Algarve history travel guide we’ll head to the small and quirky town of Olhao where two of its oldest quarters feature some very exotic white cubist housing, quite unique in Europe. Similar dwellings can be found in North Africa, however the ones in Portugal feature some unusual modifications in the form of verandas and roof terraces.
The town gets its name from the start of the 19th century when local fishermen sailed to inform the Prince Regent – who at that time was in exile in Rio de Janeiro – of the victory over the invading French; the prince rewarded them by naming their town Vila de Olaho da Restauracao.
Pretty much anyone who has been to the Algarve has heard of Faro, this is after all most likely where they first set foot in the region, if not the country, however not many have heard of the old Roman port of Ossonoba which became the capital of the Algarve. Ossonoba and Faro are the same place.
Faro officially became a city in 1540, only for it to be sacked by the English in 1596 who made it a goal of his to steal books from the Bishop’s Library – interestingly enough those books have been treasured by the British and they still exist in the Ashmolean Library in Oxford.
This is definitely the place to see for all those who are interested in learning about the local culture and especially the history of the place. This is where you’ll find the Algarve Regional Museums as well as the Archaeological Museum – both of which make for some very good destinations; there are also remnants of city walls built by the Romans and the Byzantines, an Italian designed horseshoe gate and a plethora of churches to name but a few of the various other historic destinations that you can visit here.
Keep our Algarve car hire services in mind when you’re following our Algarve history travel guide.
