Outdoor
Hell's Mouth
It’s impossible to visit Cascas without going to Boca do Inferno – straight translation is Hell’s Mouth. Its name comes from the horrible sounds that are heard when the waves go against the rocks. The angry sea has destroyed what was probably a very old cave and today all it is left is the mouth that tells stories about lost love and tears… at least it is what legends say. Anyway, the colors of the rock and the green sea paint a live picture. The rock of the cliff is carbonated, which means it is very sensitive to the rain and that’s the reason why we can see so many holes and caves inside the cliff.
Guia’s Lighthouse
Near by Boca do Inferno it’s located Farol da Guia – Guia’s Lighthouse, which was the first lighthouse in Portugal. It was built in 1610 and it was soon called the “Guide of sea’s men”, because it guided men away from Boca do Inferno.
On 17th century the lighthouse started to work with oil lamps, which were lighting during eight months per year and they were controlled by the sisters of Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Guia (Hermitage of Guia’s Saint). Later, in 1761, the lighthouse had for the first time a white light, but it was only in 1939 that the whole system started to work with gas energy and in 1957 the electricity finally came to the lighthouse which was the last step before it becomes totally automatic in 1982. Nowadays the lighthouse is not working anymore, but it is still a nice place to visit and admire the sea.
Guia’s House
And for the perfect end of your visit in Guia you can’t miss Casa da Guia (Guia’s House). It’s just a few minutes away from Boca do Inferno and it’s on Guia’s Coast. The Palace and the Gardens belonged to Alcáçovas ‘s Counts and the property was left to the Government. The Garden was turned in outside restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the sunshine feeling the fresh air of the sea. The Palace is a little shopping Center. Do not worry, it is not the traditional Shopping Center with international trademarks. Actually it’s a place where all the steps have natural products or handmade artifacts as jewelry or clothes.
The shops have handmade artifacts from all over the world, from India to Brasil. You can choose between feeling the exotic fabrics, trying natural shampoos and body lotions, shining with semi-precious stones and gemstones jewelry or tasting the scents of the Tea’s house where all teas are made with natural herbs just like the English old way.