An Algarve Town with an Inspiring Moment in History
I recently took a trip to explore this attractive Algarve town and discovered a story with a moral that could be considered ‘biblical’ – the underdog beating all odds to overcome a mightier power.
Olhão’s famous fish market is over 100 years old. It’s very central and distinctive with its red brick construction and cupolas, and is said to be the biggest fish market in the Algarve. My wife and I had lunch there and afterwards, we strolled the waterfront, where tiled monuments display interesting facts about the town’s history.
The Peninsular War (1807–1814), part of the Napoleonic Wars, was fought between Spain, Portugal and the UK against the French. By November 1807, the Portuguese royal court and some 10,000 officials fled from Lisbon to their Brazilian colony to escape the approaching French army. They set up shop in the wealthy capital, Rio de Janeiro, to administer their kingdom from there. They did not return to Portugal for another 14 years.
The abusive French invaders established themselves all along the Algarve. On 16 June 1808, a popular uprising in the small fishing village of Olhão culminated in the expulsion of the French forces. The success of this initiative spread throughout the region, and the French withdrew from the Algarve to the town of Mértola, which was inland and near the Spanish border.
The following month, 17 fishermen from Olhão sailed across the Atlantic to Brazil in a small boat known as a caique, typical of Olhão. The 20-metre wooden boat with lateen sails was named Bom Successo. The mission was to take the news of the French defeat to the royal court in exile in Rio de Janeiro. The crew took with them a document describing the bold action by the people of Olhão. The result was that the Prince Regent decided to award Olhão and its inhabitants with a legal permit to be recognised as ‘Vila de Olhão of the Restoration’. It would be its own municipality with local autonomy and a much-elevated status.
Napoleon, with his ambition to control Europe, was incensed by Portugal’s defiance against ending trade with Britain. On 30 November 1807, French troops entered the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and closed the country’s ports to English ships. In retaliation in August 1808, British forces landed in Portugal and forced the evacuation of the French (Convention of Cintra).
But, it was Olhão and its citizens who first stood up to the might of France – and won. A true David and Goliath story.
