ALTE TRAVEL GUIDE
The Algarve, PortugalIf you are looking for a holiday hotel, apartment or villa in Alte, the following information may help by giving you an overview on the resort.
Alte sits on top of a hill in the limestone foothills known as the Barrocal. Winding roads climb to the village through a region dubbed the “Garden of the Algarve”, where fig trees and citrus groves surrounded by dry-stone walls alternate with almond orchards and gnarled and ancient olive trees.
The focal point of the village is the parish church, one of the most interesting in the Algarve because of its wealth of 18th century woodwork and its baroque azulejos [tiles]. Rope mouldings decorate the west door, the vaulting of the chancel and the arch of the so-called “Chapel of the Landowner”, with its coat of arms of the courts of Alte. Painted and gilded woodwork surrounds the altar, while angelic musicians and cherubs scamper among the vine and acanthus leaves.
From the church, cobbled lanes lead eastwards for a five-minute stroll to a series of springs [fontes], where the water gushes out of pipes set in niches decorated with azulejos and plaques inscribed with verses by the local poet - Cândido Guarneri [1871-1953], in praise of water. The water here betrays its volcanic origins with a sulphur smell, but it tastes fresh enough and many local people come here to fill huge containers, believing that the water prolongs their life and keeps them healthy.
About 200m upstream is another set of springs, Fonte Grande. From here, keen walkers can follow the footpath upstream for 3km to the source of the River Alte in the foot of the Serra do Caldeirão mountain range. Less keen hikers can rest at one of the two restaurants, or picnic at tables under the shade of the trees, before browsing through the crafts on sale in the artesanto shops around the church square.
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Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
