History of Lagos: a brief summary

With its golden beaches and lively marina, Lagos is one of the Algarve’s most popular destinations. However, its past is just as captivating as its coastline. From ancient Phoenician traders to the launch of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, Lagos has played a key role in world and Algarve history. This article explores how this historic port became a center of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.

Early settlements and ancient trade

Long before Lagos became famous for its role in the Age of Discoveries, it was already an important spot for trade. The Phoenicians, great sailors and merchants from the eastern Mediterranean, were among the first to establish a trading post in the natural bay of Lagos. They were later followed by Greeks and Carthaginians, who also recognized the area’s strategic value. Archaeological finds, including ancient coins now on display at the Lagos Museum, tell the story of this vibrant, multicultural port. When the Romans arrived, they named the town Lacóbriga, which eventually evolved into the modern name Lagos. During the Moorish occupation, the town was called Zawaya, meaning “lake”, a nod to its waterfront setting. The Moors fortified the town, and parts of their defensive wall still stand today as a reminder of Lagos’s past.

The Christian Reconquest and the rise Lagos

In 1189, Portuguese forces, aided by European crusaders, captured Lagos from the Moors. It was a major victory at the time and part of a broader campaign that also included the conquest of Silves later that year. However, the success was short-lived. The Moors retook Lagos just two years later, reestablishing their control over the town. It wasn’t until the mid-13th century that Lagos was permanently brought under Portuguese rule during the final stages of the Reconquista in the Algarve.

Thanks to its excellent natural harbor, Lagos soon grew in importance. By the 15th century, it had become a key base for Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Prince Henry the Navigator was one of the main figures behind the early maritime expeditions. He lived in Lagos and served as governor of the Algarve. From here, he organized and supported voyages that would change the course of world history. His governor’s palace was located inside the town’s fortified walls. Today you can still walk along Rua do Castelo dos Governadores (Street of the Governor’s Castle), a street named after this historic site.

Lagos’s role as a launch point for exploration helped transform it from a fortified coastal town into one of the most influential cities in 15th-century Portugal.

Lagos and the Age of Discoveries

In the early 15th century, Lagos became the starting point of Portugal’s great Age of Discoveries. This was a time when explorers set out to map the unknown corners of the world. This small coastal town played a major role not just in Portuguese history, but in shaping global exploration.

In 1415, a fleet of 200 ships departed from Lagos under the command of Prince Henry the Navigator. Their aim was to capture the city of Ceuta in Morocco, an important center of trade. This bold mission marked the beginning of Portugal’s overseas expansion. A few years later, in 1434, local sailor Gil Eanes made history by sailing past Cape Bojador on the West African coast. This was a feat no European had accomplished before and opened the door to further exploration down the African shoreline.

From Lagos, Portuguese ships began returning with gold, spices, ivory, and sadly, the first enslaved people, introducing a tragic chapter in European colonial history. A building known as the slave market, dating back to the 15th century, still stands in Praça da República in Lagos today. It serves as a reminder of this past.

Thanks to its role in trade and exploration, Lagos became the most important town in the Algarve. Lagos even served as the region’s capital from 1576 to 1756. However, much of the town was destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 1755, and the capital was later moved to Faro.

What to see today: discover the historical landmarks of Lagos

Walking through Lagos, you can explore many places that tell the story of its history. Here are a few must-see historical sights in Lagos:

• Governor’s castle – once home to Prince Henry the Navigator, still partly standing near the old town walls.
• Slave market building – a sobering 15th-century site marking Europe’s first slave market, now a museum.
• City walls and gates – stroll along Moorish and medieval fortifications that once protected the town.
• Rua do castelo dos governadores – a historic street named after the old governor’s palace.
• Statue of Henry the Navigator – commemorating the prince who launched Portugal’s maritime empire.
• Forte da ponta da bandeira – a seaside fort that guarded Lagos’s harbor from pirates and invaders.
• Church of Santo António – known for its richly decorated baroque interior and naval heritage.
• Praça da república – the town’s central square, once the heart of colonial trade and civic life.