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CASCAIS BAY
It is, however certain that it received its first charter from King Afonso Henriques in 1159, and this was renewed in a modified form by his son, King Sancho I, in 1189. King Manoel I – «The Fortunate» – in whose reign Vasco da Gama discovered India (1498) and Pedro Álvares Cabral found the way to America (1500) heroic and gigantic deeds of Portugal’s maritime history, which the great epic poet Camoens immortalized in his «Lusiadas» and which were perpetuated by admirable monuments built in the sublime Portuguese gothic style, so justly called «Manueline», such as Belem Tower, the Jeronymos, whose cloisters are the finest in the world, and the Convent of Thomar. – King ManoeI, who granted so many charters to Portuguese Lands, did not forget Cascais, on which he bestowed a new charter, on November the 15th 1514. The birthplace of the famous pilot, Afonso Sanches, to who is ascribed the discovery of America in 1486, long before Americo Vespucius, Columbus, and Emo Caboto, Cascais was, in the past, an important fortified stronghold. Some outstanding facts in the History of Portugal are connected with Cascais. In 1580, it made a strong stand against Philip II's army, commanded by the Duke of Alba; this led to the Commander of the Portuguese forces, D. Diogo de Menezes, being captured and beheaded. Nine years later, in 1589, Dom Prior of Crato embarked at this town for England, accompanied by an English auxiliary army. The small monument, topped by the royal crown, to be seen in the Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, commemorates the combatants for the liberal cause during the civil wars. The campaigns of the Peninsular war, in which the heroic Cascais 19th Infantry regiment took part, in both the Roussillon and Catalonian campaigns (1793-1795), the Peninsular war (1809-1814), and later in the Great War that recently devastated the world, are also commemorated by the unassuming but expressive monument in the Passeio de Santo Antonio, that leads to the gate of the Citadel where the President of the Republic resides, and whence one of the most extensive and beautiful panoramic views of Cascais is obtained. In the same Passeio de Santo Antonio, there is another monument celebrating Portuguese heroism. A spread eagle, on a rock, recalls the daring flight from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, made by the learned Admiral Gago Coutinho, and his ill-fated companion, Sacadura Cabral, who disappeared in mid-ocean some time later, when on his way to Portugal in an airplane he was bringing here from abroad. Cascais is situated about half-an-hour's distance from Lisbon, and the journey is made in comfortable and rapid electric trains. It is after passing Carcavelos that the Sunshine Coast really reveals its manifold beauties to / 18 / those who visit this charming and most celebrated Portuguese and international resort for visitors, attracted by its varied natural beauties and the perpetual spring like mildness of its climate, which as will be seen, allows sea and sun-bathing ail the year round. This lovely region, where all modern comforts are to be found, is not easily forgotten by those who visit it. There you will find pleasant, well-frequented beaches, and outdoor sports, such as golf and tennis, good luxury hotels of all classes, among which are the Palace-Estoril, the Atlantic, the Miramar, the Estrade, ltalia and Park hotels, etc. There are also, good boarding-houses, a Casino, a splendid Park and charming social resorts, such as the Tamariz. All these attractions contribute towards making the «Sunshine Coast» with the Estorils and Cascais, one of the most charming resorts to be found in Portugal. The excellent policy adopted by the present Cascais Touring and Initiative Board greatly helped to develop this district, and among the improvements proposed are shelter-docks, to be built round the base of the Cascais Citadel. At Carcavelos, besides the fine Quinta Nova Palace of the XVIII Century, where the Read Station of the Eastern Submarine Cable Company has been installed since 1872, a good Sanatorium for weak children, and the XVII century Mother-Church, containing beautiful colored tiles, are worthy of note. Parede possesses a good and well-frequented beach, and two fine medical establishments; the Solarium for sun-cures and the Santana Sanatorium. After passing Baforeira and Cai Agua, from where a glorious panoramic view is obtained, we reach S. João do Estoril, the ante-chamber, as it were, to the various Estoril beaches. One kilometer further on, and 24 kilometers from Lisbon, the train stops at the Estoril station, and we find ourselves transported to a region full of charm and beauty. The lovely Park, the huge hotels, and the luxuriant wealth of flowers and foliage complete the picture. Those who visit Estoril should see the Church of Santo Antonio, which contains some very fine tiling, showing episodes in the life of this most popular Portuguese Saint, who is unduly known as Saint Antony of Padua. If Estoril is full of charm, the same can be said of Monte Estoril. The Touring and initiative Board for the Cascais district have their permanent Head-quarters there, and besides supplying all information gratuitously, possess a Library, Reading-room, Meteorological station, etc. This entire zone is blessed with a mild climate, as may be seen in the following figures, supplied by the climatological station installed at Monte Estoril, under the technical direction of the Central Meteorological Observatory: Air-Temperature – (Fahrenheit)
Winter-1932. To give an idea of the sunbathed atmosphere and admirable climate, it will suffice to say that during the winter months of 1932-1933, there were respectively 572-32 and 603-31 hours and minutes of cloudless sun; in the spring of 1932 and 1933 (849-23 and 744-31) in the summer of 1932 and 1933 (1144-53 and 11061) and in the autumn of 1932-1933 (645-52 and 756). * A magnificent road connects Lisbon and Cascais. The panorama enjoyed from the Cascais Esplanade, of the glorious Bay, stretching onward to the mountains of Cintra, is one of the most beautiful and impressive sights imaginable. The longer one’s eyes rest on this marvelous scenery the harder it becomes to tear our gaze away. Another beautiful sight that all should stay and see is the sunset, on a fine clear day, witnessed from the Cascais Esplanade. The sun, as it bids us farewell before darkness falls and its splendor is substituted by shadows, makes a last gigantic effort to lend a new glow and fresh colors to the scenery around. The Bay itself, always thronged with vessels, seems to fall asleep, cradled in the murmuring, monotonous, swaying waters. The quaint and beautiful Castro Guimarães Museum at Cascais is well worth seeing. Built on palatial lines, with a fine park attached, this sumptuous, sea-kissed edifice, contains splendid paintings, valuable files, cabinets, and China, a magnificent library, where are to be seen, among many other rare editions, the illuminated chronicles of Dom Afonso Henriques, by Duarte Galvão, and the fine oceanographical collection organized by the late King CarIos, which for many years was kept and exhibited in the Portuguese Naval League. The Santa Marta Canal is another attractive corner of Cascais, as well as Boca do Inferno (the Mouth of Hell), with its grottoes and caves where, in stormy weather, huge breakers furiously dash themselves against the rocks, and when exhausted, dissolve into creamy billows of froth.
We have thus attempted to give a rapid description of a
part of the many things to be seen in this beautiful district.
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