Cape Roca - the most western point of Europe

Travelers in Portugal have no time for boredom - here the picturesque nature serves as a beautiful backdrop for ancient castles, castles and monasteries. But tourists, like a magnet, attract the most western point of Europe. That's why everyone is striving to Cape Roca - the shore, where Eurasia ends and the boundless mysterious ocean begins.

How can a tourist get to Cape Roca?

It's quite easy to get to the unique cape. Regular buses run regularly from Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais, in addition, you can use the services of firms that lease cars. A trip to Cape Roca, whose coordinates: 38 ° 47 'N, 9 ° 30' W, will help to understand why many seafarers were so eager to learn what is hidden behind the horizon. There is a feeling that under the feet - the last piece of land, and then only the sea surface.

Different epochs - different names of the area

At a time when the 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, it turns out 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 Destiny. Maybe because Portugal influenced the fate of many points in the world? And all seafarers met and escorted Cape Rock, on which the light of a lighthouse burned.

The times when significant geographical discoveries were made, brought the country to the very top. At this time, Portugal as the largest naval power dominated the water. It was the Portuguese pioneers who created the world map as we see it today. For a long time, Portugal was a great metropolis, the colonies of which stretched from the Western Hemisphere to the Great Wall of China. From all sides in the country flocked gold and silver rivers, valuable spices and expensive fabrics. All this supplemented 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. The Portuguese language was spoken in South Africa and most parts of Latin America. But everything is changing, and today the language is preserved only in Brazil.

Edge or not the edge?

It is right to determine that the most western point of Europe - in Portugal, was not immediately possible. This happened only in 1979. Until that time, it was thought that Cape Finisterre, which lies in Spain, crashed most of all into the Atlantic Ocean. Actually, in translation the name of this cape means "the end of the earth". And here, too, are happy to meet guests.

What to see during the tour?

It's good that we do not live in dark times and do not expect to see beyond the "edge of the earth" to see three elephants standing on a huge turtle. At Cape Roca they go to admire the majestic ocean, to feel its strength and power. Here, any problems recede into the background, only admiration and admiration for the power of nature that created the earth and the seas. The cape itself is a rock rising 140 meters above sea level. It is almost impossible to descend to the ocean from a cliff, but tourists find roundabout routes. Many go to the lighthouse, pass along the fence and turn off along hardly visible trails. Going to have a long time, descents and ascents will be difficult. But the result of the walk is the ocean at the very feet.

On the cape you can see the monument stele, established in 1979, after confirming that Cape Roca is the westernmost point of Europe. On the stela, a line from the poem of the Portuguese poet and precise geographical coordinates of the place are stamped out.

Guests are not allowed to enter the territory of the current 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 cards to friends and acquaintances with a unique stamp. And there is a tourist center, and simply - a souvenir shop. It sells certificates for about 5 euros, proving that you had the most western point of Europe under your feet. The certificate is issued upon presentation of the passport and must be registered in the ledger. It is stylized under the old days and fastened with ribbons with a wax seal.

The most impressive spectacle is the sunset and dawn over the ocean. To see this beauty, many tourists book rooms in a local hotel.

Important Reminder

Even if you decide to visit Cape Roca in the hot summer, be sure to take a jacket or a warm sweater. There is always a wind blowing and fogs often fall. This feature of the weather is reflected even in the surrounding landscape. There is no high vegetation on the cape, only herbs and succulents. The cape is part of the territory of the Sintra-Cascais guard park, so you should not collect flowers and beautiful plants - you can earn a fine.