The picture-postcard village of Porches lies just off the EN125
main road, midway between Alcantarilha and Lagoa.
The place is distinctive for its cluster of classic white regional-style
houses punctuated with striking filigreed chimneys.
Life in Porches revolves around the local pottery industry,
in which many of the local population are employed. What to see. The Porches Pottery Factory was
founded in 1968 to revive a local craft and preserve ancient
Iberian and Moorish patterns. Each piece is hand-glazed and
painted in a free-flowing style in blue, green and turquoise.
The town’s parish church has replaced an older 16th century
church from which the chancel still remains. Nearby. The nearby town of Lagoa (5 km to the
west) is the centre of the Algarve’s winemaking industry.
Tours of the vineyards can be arranged through the local tourist
office.
Lost in time, the sleepy village of Alcantarilha to the east
of Porches is famous for its bone chapel located by the side
of the parish church. The entire interior is made up of the
remains of some 1,500 parishioners.
A short drive to the south stands Senhora da Rocha chapel, spectacularly
situated on a rocky cliff overlooking a small beach of the same
name. Traces of evidence from the Visigothic period date the
chapel right back to before the Moorish occupation.
