The Algarve

The village of Santa Barbara de Nexe, some seven kilometres north of Faro, is one of a number of places close to the Algarve's capital city (Faro) to take its name from a saint. Other places include the town of São Bras de Alportel and the village of Sta Catarina. All were so named during the Moorish occupation of Southern Portugal (8th to 12th Century) so as to give protection 'from above'.

By far the best known Santa Barbara landmark is the village's 400-year-old white walled church, or to be more precise the bell tower of the church.
With the advent of the IP1 motorway during the 1990s, ensuring swifter and more efficient travel throughout the east and central Algarve, the bell tower has now become even more prominent, clearly viewed from the stretch of road close to the São Bras/Faro exit. The bell tower has also proved consistent subject matter for artists down the ages, and takes on an almost mystical air during winter nights.

The village church, of which the people of Santa Barbara are justly proud, clearly displays both the Gothic and Manueline style of art and architecture.

A triumphal arch for example in Manueline style, though indicating too the influence of Renaissance art, leads through to the church's main chapel of panelled vault. The church's chapels dedicated to another saint, Santo Amaro, were built during the latter half of the 18th Century in the Rocaille style, while the retables (traditional carved shelves behind the altars) indicate both the Nacional and Joanina style.
Portugal's renowned azulejoes -- ceramic tiles depicting religious and historical scenes -- are also well in evidence throughout the church.
The church overlooks verdant fields, lanes and walkways ideal for strolling through and bird-watching.

A further Santa Barbara landmark is to be found about a kilometre along the curving road that leads up and out of the village: a blue painted water wheel, positioned on top of a well, dated 1945 and now concreted in..

The shortest of distances to the east of Sta Barbara, lie Milreu and Estoi, places both rich in history and tradition.

Milreu is the location of a Roman site that is open to the public, and which since the late 1990s has yielded a series of quite extraordinary archeological discoveries. Archeological digs overseen by Dr Felix Teichner of Frankfurt University in Milreu have unearthed a series of magnificently preserved Roman olive cellars. The cellars contain a series of olive vats, five formidably sized stones used to crush the olives, and the five wheels necessary to turn the stones, thus setting the whole olive operation into motion.
Other finds from Dr. Teichner's team have included a collection of First Century A.D coins and First and Third Century ceramics.

Estoi Palace is an old and stately Portuguese incorporating numerous rooms leading off one another, baroque statues and a bandstand. The grounds, albeit always accessible to the public, lay for years untended and overgrown, while the Palace stood in a state of disrepair.
Many visitors surely concurred with one American traveller in the mid- 1960s who spoke of : " ... sensing the spirits of the past all around me."
Estoi Palace has now, after many years waiting, received a heritage grant for much needed refurbishing and restoration, the benefits of which can be viewed by the visitor on entering through the palace gates.

Back in Santa Barbara's main street, good food, drink and relaxation are to be taken at two recommended and adjoining establishments: 'Gordon's' and 'A Portada'. Gordon's is so named after it's popular East Anglian owner. 'A Portada' meanwhile which translates into English as 'The Gate' has past connections with Portugal's famous wine industry, and possesses one of the few entertainment stages to be purpose built into an Algarve restaurant.