Vila do Bispo, is small town 22km west of Lagos in Western Algarve, with its
own rich history, is the centre of the municipality which includes towns such as
Sagres, Budens, and Raposeira. The 16th century church is the centre piece of
this typical 'old town', of the Algarve, with original Algarve cottages and
Villas scattered around it. The modern town expands Westwards, where most of the
accommodations can be found.
Not surprisingly, the Portuguese were the first of the Europeans to make the
first known contact with Japan in the year 1543, when a Portuguese ship was
blown off course, en route from China, being forced to land at the island of
Tanegashima, the second largest of the Osumi Islands to the south of Japan. In
recognition of this historical fact, a square, named 'Tanegashima Square' was
built and inaugurated in 1998, which lies between the cultural centre and the
municipal building in Vila do Bispo. Vila do Bispo was twinned with the city of
Nishinoomoto which is on the island of Tanegashima in February 1992.
The Portuguese 'Praca de Tanegashima', the 16th century Japanese term, being
until recent times, 'translated into Japanese', meant any form of firearms,
which they named as "Tanega-shima", due to their belief that this ' weapon', had
been introduced to Japan from on board that very Portuguese ship.
To spend a holiday in any Villa in this small town, realising that the whole
course of the Japanese military history had been changed (and possibly the
worlds because of it!), from the moment that ship had been blown off course, and
is commemorated in this small town in the Algarve, now this is a special Villa
in which to savour your wine!
Whatever the modern outdoor pursuits that may be desired, they are all here,
readily accessible from the self catering Villas available in this historical
haven of the Western Algarve, from Bicycle rides, boat hire/trips, horse riding
to go karting, and more! All of this on your doorstep, whilst you spend your
holiday, based from a luxurious Villa in the Vila do Bispo, a municipality of
the Western Algarve.
