Travelers in Portugal have no time to be bored - the picturesque nature here serves as a wonderful backdrop for ancient fortresses, castles and monasteries. But tourists, like a magnet, are attracted to the westernmost point of Europe. That is why everyone is striving for Cape Roca - the shore where Eurasia ends and the endless mysterious ocean begins.
How can a tourist get to Cape Roca?
To get to a unique cape is quite simple. Regular buses run from Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais, and you can also use the services of car rental companies. A trip to Cape Roca, whose coordinates: 38 ° 47 'north latitude, 9 ° 30' west longitude, will help to understand why many sailors were so eager to find out what is hidden behind the horizon. Here you get the feeling that under your feet is the last piece of land, and then only the sea surface.
Different eras - different terrain names
At a time when Europeans made a great breakthrough in the study of geography, the westernmost point of Europe was called the Cape of Lisbon. And before that, the ancient Romans designated this place as Promontorium Magnum (if translated, you get the "Great Cape"). In Portuguese, the name of the geographical point is Cabo da Roca.
History and Geography
The Portuguese themselves call this place the Cape of Fate. Maybe because Portugal influenced the fate of many parts of the world? And all the seafarers met and escorted Cape of Doom, on which the light of the lighthouse burned.
The times when significant geographical discoveries were made took the country to the very top. At this time, Portugal, as the largest maritime power, dominated the water. It was the Portuguese discoverers who created the world map as we see it today. For a long time, Portugal was a great metropolis whose colonies extended from the Western Hemisphere to the Great Wall of China. Gold and silver rivers, valuable spices and expensive fabrics flocked to the country from all sides. All this replenished the treasury of the kingdom and strengthened its position. The kingdom owned most of the islands in the Atlantic. Portugal belonged to the Azores and Madeira. Portuguese was spoken in South Africa and in most parts of Latin America. But everything is changing, and today the language is preserved only in Brazil.
Edge or not edge?
It was not possible to determine rightly that the most western point of Europe - in Portugal, was immediately. This happened only in 1979. Until that time, it was believed that Cape Finisterre, which is located in Spain, cuts most of all into the Atlantic Ocean. Actually, in translation the name of this cape means "end of the earth." And here, too, they are pleased to welcome guests.
What to see during the tour?
It is good that we do not live in dark times and do not expect, having looked beyond the "end of the earth", to see three elephants standing on a huge turtle. They go to Cape of Rock to admire the majestic ocean, to feel its strength and power. Here any problems recede into the background, there remains only enthusiasm and admiration for the force of nature, which created the earth and the seas. The cape itself is a cliff that rises 140 m above sea level. It is almost impossible to go down to the ocean from a cliff, but tourists find roundabout routes. Many go to the lighthouse, pass along the fence and turn along the barely visible paths. It will take a long time, descents and climbs will be difficult. But the result of the walk is the ocean at the very feet.
On the cape you can see the stele-monument, installed in 1979, after confirming that Cape Roca is the westernmost point of Europe. A line from the poem of the Portuguese poet and the exact geographical coordinates of the place are embossed on the stele.
Guests are not allowed into the territory of the existing lighthouse. Probably because the desire to touch everything with your hands and grab something for memory is inherent in tourists from all countries.
The cape has its own post office. From here you can send your friends and acquaintances cards with a unique stamp. There is also a tourist center, and simply a souvenir shop. It sells certificates for about 5 euros, proving that under your feet was the westernmost point of Europe. The certificate is issued upon presentation of the passport and must be registered in the ledger. It is styled in antiquity and fastened with ribbons with a wax seal.
The most spectacular sight is sunset and sunrise over the ocean. To see this beauty, many tourists book rooms at a local hotel.
Important Reminder
Even if you decide to visit Cape Roca in the hot summer, be sure to take a jacket or warm jacket. Here the wind always blows and fogs often fall. This feature of the weather was reflected even in the surrounding landscape. There is no high vegetation on the cape, only grass and succulents. The cape is part of the territory of the Sintra-Cascais conservation park, so collecting flowers and beautiful plants is not worth it - you can earn a fine.