São João Baptista Fort
On a rock in the sea.
Nelton Gomes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Beatriz N. Monteiro — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alexkom000 — CC BY 4.0 · Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Alexkom000 — CC BY 4.0
The Berlengas are an archipelago of small Atlantic islands 10 to 17 km off the coast of Peniche in Portugal's Oeste region. The largest, Berlenga Grande, lies about 13 km from the town in a straight line. Berlenga Grande is the only island ever inhabited, though no one lives there permanently today, and the others form two groups of islets. Ptolemy mentioned the islands in his Geography. In 1513 monks set up a monastery on the island to help sailors and shipwreck victims, and its stones were later used to build the Fort of São João Baptista. The lighthouse dates from 1841, and in 2011 UNESCO added the archipelago to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The island rises in rugged pinkish granite above clear blue water. The fort stands on a rock in the sea, reached by a narrow stone causeway, and the lighthouse sits on the plateau above. The jagged coastline is cut by small coves, arches and sea caves, among them the Blue Cave. Visitors arrive by boat from the mainland in the summer months, walk the paths between the lighthouse and the fort, and swim in the clear coves. The crossing can be rough, and there are few services on the island, so bring water and food.
On a rock in the sea.
On the plateau.
Clear water.
Berlengas archipelago, off Peniche, Portugal
By boat from the mainland in summer.
Few; bring water and food.