Belixe Fortress – birds and seacliffs
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Built in the 1st half of the sixteenth century, St. Anthony's fortress of Belixe was damaged during the incursion of the English privateer Francis Drake (1578). In 1632, was rebuilt as proved the stone above the entrance. It is polygonal in shape. The front door is protected by a recess. The wall section at the right protected a long staircase leading to the beach and where the groceries and other materials entered in case of terrestrial siege. On the wall there are dependencies of former military garrison. It has been an inn. Nowadays it is used for several events.
Within the walls, closed and at risk of collapse, is the chapel of Santa Catarina (currently dedicated to St. António).
From this fortress you can have a beautiful view of the ocean, and it is a good place to see birds during migration (late September, early October). Species such as the Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) can be seen here.
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Built in the 1st half of the sixteenth century, St. Anthony's fortress of Belixe was damaged during the incursion of the English privateer Francis Drake (1578). In 1632, was rebuilt as proved the stone above the entrance. It is polygonal in shape. The front door is protected by a recess. The wall section at the right protected a long staircase leading to the beach and where the groceries and other materials entered in case of terrestrial siege. On the wall there are dependencies of former military garrison. It has been an inn. Nowadays it is used for several events.
Within the walls, closed and at risk of collapse, is the chapel of Santa Catarina (currently dedicated to St. António).
From this fortress you can have a beautiful view of the ocean, and it is a good place to see birds during migration (late September, early October). Species such as the Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) can be seen here.
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Algarve
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Vila do Bispo
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Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park
Identification and Access
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Yes
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Access to Sagres from:
- Vila do Bispo - N 268 to Sagres; or
- Lagos - N125 (direction Vila do Bispo). N268 to Sagres.
In Sagres take the road to Cape St. Vincent / N268. The fortress is about 4.4 km from Sagres and about 1.4 km before Cape St. Vincent.
Base Characterization
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Imóvel de interesse público (Building of Public Interest)
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PTCON0012 Costa Sudoeste and PTZPE0015 Costa Sudoeste.
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PTCON0012 Costa Sudoeste and PTZPE0015 Costa Sudoeste.
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Cultural Historical
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Isolated over the cliff.
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Public
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Sixteenth century
Tips
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Sometimes, during autumn migration, a Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis) can be seen in the cliffs by the sea.
To see more seabirds, follow the same road to the Cape St. Vincent.
Gas station in Sagres.
Fortaleza de Belixe
N268, Km 41 Belixe
8650-355 SAGRES
