| VILAMOURA |
The 1,600-hectare development of Vilamoura is one of the most
extensive privately-constructed resorts in Europe. Located at
a central point along the Algarve coast, the town is the result
of an expansive and very ambitious project started in the 1960s.
The central point of Vilamoura is its upmarket 1,000-berth marina,
which is surrounded by a several high-quality hotels, restaurants,
upmarkets boutiques and a casino. The resort also boasts an
impressive range of sport and leisure facilities, including
five 18-hole championship golf courses, a tennis centre, horse-riding,
bowling and clay pigeon shooting. Big game fishing and water
sports are also widely available.
What to see. Although the name Vilamoura means 'Moorish
village', the area was inhabited long before their time. Excavations
just north of the marina have revealed the ruins of a Roman
villa, baths and farm buildings known as the Cerro da Vila.
A collection of recovered mosaics, Roman lamps and Visigothic
coins can be seen in a museum nearby.
Nearby. Inland from Vilamoura lies Loulé, with
its Moorish castle and 13th-century church of São Clemente.
Nearby at Almancil, and considered one of the Algarve's most
important religious buildings, the parish church of São
Lourenço features a fine gilded altar and 18th-century
azulejo glazed tiles depicting the life of St Lawrence. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
