Visiting beautiful Cascais and not seeing the imposing rock formation of Boca do Inferno is missing one of the city's greatest surprises and beauties. Boca do Inferno is a formation associated with a cliff, which is located west of Cascais and is named after the ocean waves that hit the cliff face violently, forcing it into a system of caves and furiously pulverizing the land. impact to an opening higher up.
Taken literally, the name of the place contradicts its enormous beauty, but there are many reasons why this formation is called that. Many accidents were recorded in this place, from falls to people who lost their lives due to curiosity and the intensity of the waves. On days of strong sea waves the waves can be frightening and the place's fame comes from days like this, but these are moments of pure beauty!
Boca do Inferno is a cave where the waves crash, and where the Atlantic Ocean crashes before turning into a cauldron of foam. The rock formation has its own viewing platform and has been a favorite spot for storm watching for over a hundred years. In summer, waves plunge into the open cave, but during winter storms, the full force of the ocean is channeled into the abyss, giving rise to the rock formation's name.
It is close to the center of Cascais, located on the western edge of the city, almost next to the marina and very close to the famous Casa Guia. Therefore, it is easy to get there on foot, but there is also plenty of parking in this area and some restaurants nearby.
His fame, his past, his film debut
This area gained even more prominence and notoriety in 1896 when it appeared in one of the first moving films, called “Uma Caverna do Mar Perto de Lisboa”, the “current film” of 13 seconds, silent and which impressed audiences around the world with its dramatic images of violent waves that seemed to carve a cave.
One of the most bizarre episodes in the history of Boca do Inferno refers to the British occult practitioner Aleister Crowley. It is said that in September 1930, Crowley invented a plot with the famous Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa to fake his own suicide in order to escape his then-girlfriend. However, three weeks after his “death”, Crowley appeared in Berlin.
Today there is a plaque on the rocks at the site inscribed with the words that describe the suicide note in Portuguese.
Is Boca do Inferno worth visiting? Of course yes, because the beauty of the place is impressive. Although it is dangerous, in Boca do Inferno, there are paths that allow tourists to descend the cliff face and see this unique formation from both sides. But be careful, because the danger is just a step away. It is worth noting that there is a cycle path that extends to Guincho that passes in front of Boca do Inferno, coming from the center of Cascais!