Last year, I managed to miss seeing the Roman ruins in Estoi and this year they are almost next door to the where I’m staying. Thursday morning seemed like an opportune moment for a walk, so Randy and I headed out. It was a lovely walk with plenty of freshly blooming trees, scenery and urban art on the support columns for the highway.
- Roman temple from a distance.
Milreu Roman Villa
It appears that at the time the villa was inhabited during the first century of the Common Era, the coastline came further inland than it does today. The site was unearthed by archaeologist Estacio da Veiga in 1877. Sections of mosaic are visible and traces of colour remain providing a hint of the former glory of the villa.
Lunch time in Estoi
We worked up an appetite touring the ruins so headed uphill to meet Marc and have the daily special at our favourite resto in Estoi.
The main church on the square in Estoi is rarely open except for funerals. Today happened to be one of those occasions so I had a much longed for glimpse of the interior. There was a creche on one of the side altars that contained running water.
Fuseta Beach
After lunch, it was a trip by car over the mountains to Fuseta Beach. I love going to the beach but taking the short cut through the mountains does test my sensitivity to heights! We stopped to take photos and found some wild garlic in bloom. Also, stopped at Sao Miguel church near the top of the mountain. That was an amazing tiny hamlet with a spectacular view of the valley.
Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground 
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