Ferragudo

Infobox_Parish_PT
official_name = Ferragudo
image_coat_of_arms = LGA-ferragudo1.pngMunicipality = Lagoa
coordinates = coord|37|07|00|N|08|31|00|W|display=inline,title
area_total = 5.74
population_total = 1,867
population_density = 325.26
postal_code = 8400
website = www.ferragudo.org

Ferragudo is a Portuguese civil parish/freguesia at the extreme west of the municipality/concelho of Lagoa, 5.74 km² in area, with 1,867 inhabitants (2001 census). The population density is 325.26 inhabitants per km². Its civil status was raised to that of a town on May 3, 1999.

Ferragudo serves mainly as a bedroom community for Portimão, and many of its residents travel daily across the Rio Arade to work in the neighboring municipality.

Other Data

Patron Saint: Our Lady of Conception
Location adjective: Ferragudense

History

As part of the freguesia of Lagoa and of Estômbar in the municipality/concelho of Lagoa, it was separated from the concelho of Silves on January 16, 1773.

Up until the late 20th century, Ferragudo was the home mainly of fishermen, who worked the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary of the Rio Arade and the river itself. Today its economic life is mostly tied to the tourist industry.

When it became a town in 1999 it absorbed other villages and hamlets such as Aldeia de S. Francisco, Vale de Azinhaga, Corgos, Gramacho, Presa de Moura and Vale de Lapa.

Bordered on the west and south by the Rio Arade and the Atlantic Ocean, Ferragudo is noted for its picturesque scenery, its good fishing and its beaches: Angrinha, Caneiros, Torrados, Infanta, Afurada, João Lopes, Molhe, Pintadinho e a Praia Grande. Among the natural scenic sites is the Ponta do Altar as well as various cliffs, underground caverns, vent chimneys and steep cliffed islets.

Historic Sites

*Forte de São João do Arade
*Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

External links

* [http://www.ferragudo.org/ Ferragudo.org | O portal da Vila de Ferragudo]
* [http://ferragudo-algarve.blogspot.com/ Ferragudo uma Vila com Sabor | Uma das mais belas silhuetas de vila à beira mar]