The 15th-Century History of Lagos, Portugal
The Role Played by Meia Praia, Lagos, in the Portuguese Age of Discovery
World-renowned as a beach destination of excellence, a bustling city for an active summer holiday, and even a winter surfing paradise, it comes as a surprise to many just how rich the city of Lagos’ history is… Until they start to look closer, that is. From ancient city walls to statues of notable figures scattered around the town centre and Europe’s first slave market to a fort and churches on every corner, all you have to do is look around to allow stories of times long gone to wash over you.
However, it’s always helpful to know exactly where to look, so keep reading to find out a bit more about the history of Lagos, what went on at Meia Praia Beach, and the role played by the city in the Portuguese Age of Discovery. After all, there’s nothing like a trip through time and deep into the local culture to make any stay at LUX MARE truly unforgettable – wouldn’t you agree?
Meia Praia, Lagos – A Point of Departure into the Unknown
Once known as the “City of Discoveries”, Lagos played an important role in the 15th–century Portuguese Age of Discovery – when sailors embarked on journeys departing from Meia Praia, out into the unknown. Home to Prince Henry the Navigator, then governor of the Algarve, Lagos was the natural hub of operations for maritime exploration, which was largely spearheaded by the prince. Ships were built, prepared, and set sail from the city, with Meia Praia Beach providing a superb natural harbour for the caravels required to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In fact, Lagos quickly became a base port, very often serving as a last stop in Portugal for entire fleets of ships (departing from other points further up the coast, such as Lisbon), paving the way for Europe’s exploration of the New World.
Key expeditions that stopped in Lagos include:
– In 1415, a Portuguese fleet of 200 ships set sail from Lisbon and stopped in Lagos before attacking the fortress city of Ceuta in Morocco.
– Lagos locals Lourenço Gomes and António Gago stopped off in Lagos before discovering the previously uninhabited island of Madeira in 1419.
– Lagos-born Gil Eanes rounded Cape Bojador for the first time in 1434, having set sail from Lagos.
– Bartolomeu Dias stopped in Lagos in 1487, having set off from Lisbon, before becoming the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope.
From then on, Lagos entered its golden age. Its strategic location meant it was the first port of call on the European continent for ships returning from Africa, bringing exotic goods, ivory, spices, gold, and silver. The town grew quickly, seeing new churches and housing built and an influx of merchants and bankers.
The Darker Side of the History of Lagos
While the Portuguese Age of Discovery is often remembered in the country for its bold exploration and maritime accomplishments – as a time when the country forged into the unknown and came across lands, peoples, and plants never before seen by Europeans, it goes without saying that the endeavour also marked the start of more challenging aspects of history linked to the resulting colonisation. As a key port during this time, Lagos became the first European port involved in the transatlantic slave trade, introducing a practice that brought immense suffering and shaped the course of history in deeply challenging ways. Both a point of arrival to Europe for enslaved Africans and a stopping point before they were shipped to the Americas to work on plantations, their memory is preserved in the Slave Market that still stands at Praça da República in Lagos and is now a museum.
Diving Deeper into the History of Lagos while You’re Here
Though the 1755 earthquake and tsunami destroyed much of Lagos and the traces left by its 15th-century history, visitors to the city still have a lot to see. And where better to do so than in local museums? Options include Lagos Municipal Museum, the Slave Market Museum, and exploring a replica 16th-century Caravel just outside Lagos Marina.
Or how about an audio-guided round tour of Lagos, taking you past some of the main historical sites, detailing significant events and influential figures associated with the region? You can set off from as little as a 5-minute drive from LUX MARE, at Praia Dona Ana, and stop off at 9 key points while listening to what makes them so notable, by downloading an audio guide here.
Then there’s always the option of asking LUX MARE’s concierge to book you a tour with a private local guide who will be more than happy to show you the sights and tell you every tale of Lagos’ past. So, how will you choose to immerse yourself in the city’s extensive heritage?
