Berlengas
The
Berlengas archipelago is a group of very small
islands off the
Portuguese coast near the city of
Peniche, at 10 to 15 km. In the larger island (
Berlenga Grande) there is an ancient
fort and a
lighthouse.
Nowadays, the archipelago has no permanent population. The fort is now partially converted into a resthouse. As the archipelago has been declared a reservation area due to the local
fauna (sea birds, mostly), it is only visited by
scientists and, in the
summer, by a small number of tourists.
Berlenga Grande (or Ilha da Berlenga) is 1500 metres per 800 metres at 85 metres high. In this small island there are beaches and several caves, its waters are very clean with barrier reefs and vibrant marine life. Part of the island was ripped off in the past, forming a separated part of the island called
Ilha Velha (Old Island). In the summer, the island becomes filled with various sorts of flowers.
There are other groups of islets known has
Estelas islets and
Farilhões-Forcados islets.
Berlenga Grande also starred in a pre-revolutionary Portuguese
movie called "O Rei das Berlengas" (
Portuguese for
The King of the Berlengas), a comedy about someone who one fine day decides to become king of the said
archipelago.Due to this movie, several people, tourists and residents from the nearby towns, have declared the independence of the islands, and declare themselves as king, prince or president of the Berlengas Islands. These declarations and liberation armies are nothing more than fiction intended for amusement.
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List of islands of Portugal
