The handsome sailing ship will be docked at Faro’s commercial pier until Saturday 8 September, a historic moment for the municipality as it will be the first time this historic ship has visited the county.


The Sagres is the most decorated ship of the Portuguese Navy – having been awarded the Order of Infante D. Henrique (1985), Vasco da Gama Naval Medal (2007), Military Order of Christ (2012) – and also bearing several international decorations such as the Tamandaré Medal of Merit (Brazil, 2016) and the 1st Class Star of Honour (Cape Verde, 2016).


The Portuguese ship was also distinguished by the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro with the Visconde de Mauá Medal (2017).


It is currently used as a training ship, to teach budding young sailors about life onboard.


Another interesting ship, the Boa Esperança caravel, a replica of the vessels used by the Portuguese discoverers in the 15th century, owned by the Algarve Tourist Board, will also be docked in Faro for Municipal Day celebrations, which fall on Saturday, 8 September.


The Sagres School Ship can be visited on 6 September from 10am-12pm; 2pm-7pm and 8pm-10pm; and on 7 September from 10am-12pm and 2pm-6.30pm.