Cabo da Roca: The Edge of the World

Standing on the rugged cliffs of Cabo da Roca, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly before you, it’s easy to understand why this place has inspired myths, legends, and explorers for centuries. Marking the westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca has long been a place where the known world met the unknown, where land surrendered to sea, and where imagination ran wild.

The Mythical End of the World

Before the Age of Discovery, many believed that Cabo da Roca was literally the end of the world - the last strip of land before plunging into an abyss of monsters and eternal darkness. Ancient Romans called it Promontorium Magnum, viewing it as a mystical boundary between civilization and chaos. Even today, as the wind howls and waves crash against the cliffs below, there’s a certain raw power to this place - one that makes you wonder what lies beyond the horizon.

The Enchanted Princess and the Moorish Knight

One of the most haunting legends of Cabo da Roca speaks of a beautiful princess imprisoned in a tower atop the cliffs. Some say she was cursed to remain there for eternity, while others tell of a forbidden love between her and a Moorish knight. When her father discovered their secret meetings, he ordered her to be locked away forever. Desperate, the knight tried to rescue her, only to be thrown into the sea below by the king’s guards. Heartbroken, the princess leaped after him, and it is said that on stormy nights, you can still hear their whispers carried by the wind.

The Lighthouse That Guards the Coast

Perched high on the cliffs, Cabo da Roca’s lighthouse has stood as a sentinel since 1772, warning sailors of the treacherous coastline. For centuries, countless ships have navigated these waters, guided by its light. But legends say that ghostly figures sometimes appear near the lighthouse - a reminder of sailors lost at sea, forever searching for safe passage home.

A Place of Eternal Mystery

Cabo da Roca is not just a geographical point - it’s a place of stories, where history and myth collide. Standing on its windswept cliffs, you can feel the echoes of explorers, dreamers, and lost souls who once stood here, looking out at the vast Atlantic, wondering what lay beyond the edge of the world.