With many delightful courses, pure coastal breeze from the Atlantic ocean, great fresh gastronomy and fantastic weather conditions, Portugal is a Golf Bliss for most golfers.
Portugal Golf - Faro
Faro History
Faro is the administrative centre for the whole of the Algarve region with a
population in excess of 40.000 thousand people. The city has both Arab and ruins
but most of the present attractive older buildings were constructed after the
disastrous earthquake of 1755 and the earlier one of 1532. The Moors who
occupied the place in the 8th Century originally gave to it the name of Ossónoba
and developed it into a trading port until 1249 when they were defeated by the
forces of Dom Afonso III. With the decline of the importance of the City of
Silves this town took over the role of administration of the Algarve area. The
Earl of Essex sacked this town in 1596 with his fellow crusaders on their
journey to the Holy Land and the collection of books taken from the palace of
the Bishop of Faro became part of the Bodlean Library in Oxford, England.
Another interesting item is that during the 500 years of Moorish occupation
there were some Jewish inhabitants in Faro who were busily printing copies of
the Old Testament.
Faro Description
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still by the
Roman walls. Inside a spacious open square that once was the site of the Roman
Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral that faces the 18th Century Episcopal palace.
An interesting building is the neighboring 16th Century Convent that is now
turned into the home of the city’s archaeological museum. Within it is a section
devoted to the Arab occupation. The “golden” church of Nosso Senhora do Carmo is
claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal. It is
also contains the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones from over
1.200 monks! Next to the small boat basin bordering the Praça de Dom Francisco
Gomes is a Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the
maritime history of the coast. Much of the city is now composed of apartments
and there are many attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre. Faro is
also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17.000
hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring
and autumn migratory periods. The beach is almost 7 kms distant from the city
and is a long sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the
International Airport. The municipal council has an active cultural department
organizing different and various events during the year.
Faro Nearby Locations
Near to Faro is the small town of Almancil that nearby can be found the church
of São Lourenço de Matos renown for its 18th Century blue tiles. At the inland
village of Estói there are some notable roman ruins of Milreu depicting a home
that enjoyed more comforts than some of the newly built villas in today’s world.
The well-known developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, both five star
holiday areas are located west of Faro. Together they provide 7 top quality golf
courses, tennis centers, riding schools, hotels, holiday resorts and villas.
Faro Events
March - Traditional Burial Procession
June - Feira de Arte e Artenasanato (Art & Handicrafts)
July - Concentração Internacional de Motos (Motorbikes)
October - Feira de Santa Iria
Faro Information 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists 112 - SOS 289 822 942 - Town Hall 289 802 902 / 822 122 / 803 630 - Fire Brigade 289 822 022 - Police 289 803 700 - Transit Police 289 803 411 - Hospital 289 823 680 - Emergency Treatment 289 822 122 - Ambulance 289 803 604 - Tourist Office
Portugal Golf
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
