"Keeweechic's Vila Real de Santo Antonio " a Vila Real de Santo António Travel Page by keeweechic

The small town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio lies in the Algarve region of Portugal, right on the Guardiana River. The small population of only around 14,000 people make their livelihoods out of fishing and trading and of course tourism. Right across the river is Ayamonte, Spain.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio is rather special because in 1774, it was created in only 5 months by the Marques de Pombal. This followed the original town being flooded by the ocean following the 1755 earthquake. The Marques designed the layout of the town in a symmetrical grid which resulted in a rectangular street outline, such as the Baixa district in Lisbon has, which spreads out from the central square.

The town is a significant for being the first area in the Algarve (1886) to have gas lighting. It is part of the Baixo Guadiana Region which also incorporates Alcoutim and Castro Marim.