Praia Da Luz Church

[pegasus]

map

[sadie]

Thankyou Sadie for all that information especially about the channel in the rock.
Yes now I think you may be correct that the channel is natural (and I was wrong to assume it was cut by humans).
I am guessing that before the modern town was built, a stream from higher ground in the north followed this natural fault in the rock, to get to the sea, and later when the modern town was built, the stream was built over, making it a stream in a tunnel under the town. But it is only a guess.

That sounds sensible to me Pegasus. 

I am thinking that the land was layered with hard and soft rock.  Massive seismic/ volcanic movements rolled the layers of rock over and erosion took out the softer rock, leaving the harder rock standing.

Alternatively the tunnel could have been caused by lava tubes from a volcano.  The Black headland [Rocha Negro] about 3/4 mile east of this tunnel and at the eastern end of the long beach are definitely volcanic.  Probably the hill behind is riddled with tunnels formed from lava flow tubes.  I checked this out with an expert, when I visited a volcano exhibition in central Lisbon in 2010.

And I know from delving in depth that the hills behind PdL are [ancient] volcanic too.  Volcano lava in its white hot state can run for miles and as the outside cools it forms kind of tubes with the hot stuff running through the middle of the outer tube..  Anyone visiting Lanzarote would be amazed at the size of some of these tubes. 

On Lanzarote, Caesar Manrique the artist, has built a wonderful home in some old lava tubes and it is fabulous.  There is also a theatre in one gigantic tube.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cesar+manrique+house&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7RNQN_enGB457&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wtCwUufWL9Kv7AakqIGoBg&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1142&bih=592

I specially liked the sitting room with red leather sofas and the tree growing through the top of the burst lava bubble.  It is stunning in real life.  And his natural swimming pool with its natural waterfall into it.  Also stunning.

There is a Volcano museum attached ... ever so interesting.  Everything about Caesar Manrigue is beautiful, dramatic, and exciting.  Well worth visiting all his sites on the island.


All that, soz, to tell you about what I think may have caused that tunnel with the soldiers coming out.


So maybe the stratas of the land showing and eroded away, after having been turned over by seismic heaving  .... or volcanic tubes.  Possibly.
I repeat I am not a geologist but have an interest.

[pegasus]

The News of the World sensationalised the volcanic rock it by calling that hill above the town a volcano.
Confused lots of people but it sold papers.
BTW a stream running down from that big hill is partly built over in the town which converts a stretch of it into a man-made underground stream which has an inlet, and then an outlet on the big beach, and I wonder if the outlet on the small beach is a similar man-made underground stream, but that's just guessing.

[pathfinder73]

"The little church and its wonderful community had been so important to us since Madeleine’s abduction and celebrating its feast day meant a great deal to me. I badly wanted to be there, for Madeleine, and of course to say my goodbyes and express my heartfelt thanks to all our friends and supporters in the parish, especially a small and faithful group of elderly Portuguese ladies."

"Within three days, Clarence had resigned from the Civil Service and was back in the fold, his salary generously taken care of by Brian. Being Clarence, he rolled up his sleeves and got started immediately. We were absolutely delighted – as, incidentally, were the many little old ladies who wrote to tell us that they were sleeping much better since the return of that nice ‘Mr Mitchell’."

 >@@(*&)

[sadie]

The News of the World sensationalised the volcanic rock it by calling that hill above the town a volcano.
Confused lots of people but it sold papers.
BTW a stream running down from that big hill is partly built over in the town which converts a stretch of it into a man-made underground stream which has an inlet, and then an outlet on the big beach, and I wonder if the outlet on the small beach is a similar man-made underground stream, but that's just guessing.

Sorry Pegasus, but if I am understanding GEarth properly there were almost certainly volcanoes up there and lava tubes up there, millions of years ago

Look at Bensafrim which is about 5 miles due North of PdL then


To see what I believe is evidence  
1)  Open GE
2)  Type Bensafrim, Algarve in the "fly box".  Click.
3)  Look about 1 - 2 miles NNW of there (at about 10 oclock, 11 oclock). 
[You may have to change the measurements from feet or metres to miles - easy]

To measure that distance
a)  Click on the Short blue upright rule [in a box] at the top of the image, then
b)  click on Bensafrim then up in a NNW direction until about 1 1/2 miles shows.
 
4)  Zoom right in.

NB.   I suggest you use images from 2007 . 
I suggest this becauise, on this image as against the others, there was obviously water in the broken Lava tubes and also cloud being reflected.  Because they are reflectiing white they show more clearly than in other dated images.

To Regress your image to 2007 on GEarth
i)   Click on the clock at the top of th GE image.  A slider will come down.
ii)   Move the slider to 2007 and the image will change.
iii)  Centre on the area about 1 -2 miles NNW of Bensafrim and zoom right in.

You should see some strange looking kinda wedge shaped white patches.

Now as I explained before I think, I am NOT a geologist but have an interest in Volcanoes having visited 8 in 6 different countries, or islands. 

I believe these white patches show where ancient lava tubes [tunnels] have fractured, with the rainwater mainly running down the mountainside underground in these tubes, but showing at these fractured places as white patches. 

I am only using logic to base my thoughts on, along with my very limited knowledge.  I am happy to be proven wrong.



Also I found this advert.  Not the one I read about 4 years ago, which IIRC said 7 miles, but it is an indicator.  30 Km is nothing in regard to distance related to mountains .... and please remember Rocha Negro at Praia de Luz.  That is a volcano.  Seems the place could be riddled with lava tubes [tunnels]

Around Monchique, in the hills and mainly to the south  the place is covered with extinct volcanoes and caldas /caldeira.   This is only about 11 miles from the coast between Lagos and Portimao  Not far away !  The whole range of hills seems to be volcanic in origin for many miles.

http://www.themountainbikeadventure.com/

Now I am sorry but I have to go.  Up to my neck in work and drowning tbh.

[pathfinder73]

I can't rule out that Madeleine was possibly buried and hidden somewhere close to the church - put in a hole that was already there filled in and stamped - buried - done. Too many coincidences to ignore. I need to examine each possibility before discarding it.
 
I've read that area was a construction site when she disappeared. I've read new sewage lines were being laid, that building site was directly behind the church.

Has anyone got images of the church vicinity May 07 for closer inspection? What would Smithman have seen when he got there? I believe he got off the streets at that location where he was last seen heading towards. I want to try and see what he would've seen i.e. through his eyes if possible. Thanks.

[AnneGuedes]

I can't rule out that Madeleine was possibly buried and hidden somewhere close to the church - put in a hole that was already there filled in and stamped - buried - done. Too many coincidences to ignore. I need to examine each possibility before discarding it.
 
I've read that area was a construction site when she disappeared. I've read new sewage lines were being laid, that building site was directly behind the church.

Has anyone got images of the church vicinity May 07 for closer inspection? What would Smithman have seen when he got there? I believe he got off the streets at that location where he was last seen heading towards. I want to try and see what he would've seen i.e. through his eyes if possible. Thanks.

You are losing your time. An ancient cemetery close to the church has even been dug.
 All cavities and holes have been examined right after the disappearance, when Prof Harrison was there and after the McCanns were constituted arguidos.

[pathfinder73]

You are losing your time. An ancient cemetery close to the church has even been dug.
 All cavities and holes have been examined right after the disappearance, when Prof Harrison was there and after the McCanns were constituted arguidos.

Thanks. Where can I read these church digging reports? Madeleine McCann can't disappear of the face of the earth and being last seen near there then it's a logical place/area to start for possible clues especially in light of getting keys. Cadaver dogs should be searching there as she may have not stayed in that buried hidden location. Be moved to inside an apartment/garage or anywhere after that.

[AnneGuedes]

Thanks. Where can I read these church digging reports? Madeleine McCann can't disappear of the face of the earth and being last seen near there then it's a logical place/area to start for possible clues especially in light of getting keys. Cadaver dogs should be searching there as she may have not stayed in that buried hidden location. Be moved to inside an apartment/garage or anywhere after that.

It's in the Files... I vaguely remember to have had a look at them. The digging was in September of October.
You know that for me the disappearance of Madeleine is no mystery.

[pathfinder73]

It's in the Files... I vaguely remember to have had a look at them. The digging was in September of October.
You know that for me the disappearance of Madeleine is no mystery.

Thanks I will have a look. Yes I know it's not a mystery to you and that's very likely to have happened but the church has always interested me and makes me think there's more to it than meets the eye 

[pathfinder73]

"Madeleine is not in the church" Father Hubbard

[sadie]

The church has an old and small graveyard set in a kind of garden within its fairly small grounds.  That is to the north of the church to be precise.  THe plot of land that the church stands, encompassing the graveyard, is only about 40 metres  x  45 metres including the space at the front.

There apears to be a large entrance to an underground tunnel, or something, to the south of the church.   When I visited, there was a crude and massive block of concrete completely hiding the entrance.  It would take a team of men to lift it, I think

Immediately opposite the Church, on the other side of the road,  there is a derelict property with a garden at the rear (viewed from GE).  This property is in an excellent position opposite the church and kind of front line to the little western beach /cove.  It would have quite good sea views front and back, I think.

One wonders why such a property is left derelict; it must be worth a fortune.

To the South of this derelict house and also partially opposite the Church is the Fortezela restaurant.  This was a fort but now appears to be an upmarket restaurant.  This too has a superb position virtually front line east, west and South and backing on to the little wesrtern beach / cove

Adjacent to and immediately north of the derelict house is a smallish Alisupermarket.   This is on the street corner .

Around that corner and attached to the rear of the supermarket is The Bull public House and cafe..  From the rear of The Bull, steps lead down to the little western beach/rocky cove.

Smithman could have been en route for any of these places, or even Sergies place which was only about 30 metres away from where Aofie saw him IIRC.

I doubt the supermarket and the church, tbh, .... unless the lid was off that ?tunnel ...  then maybe

[sadie]

The church has an old and small graveyard set in a kind of garden within its fairly small grounds.  That is to the north of the church to be precise.  THe plot of land that the church stands, encompassing the graveyard, is only about 40 metres  x  45 metres including the space at the front.

There apears to be a large entrance to an underground tunnel, or something, to the south of the church.   When I visited, there was a crude and massive block of concrete completely hiding the entrance.  It would take a team of men to lift it, I think

Immediately opposite the Church, on the other side of the road,  there is a derelict property with a garden at the rear (viewed from GE).  This property is in an excellent position opposite the church and kind of front line to the little western beach /cove.  It would have quite good sea views front and back, I think.

One wonders why such a property is left derelict; it must be worth a fortune.

To the South of this derelict house and also partially opposite the Church is the Fortezela restaurant.  This was a fort but now appears to be an upmarket restaurant.  This too has a superb position virtually front line east, west and South and backing on to the little wesrtern beach / cove

Adjacent to and immediately north of the derelict house is a smallish Alisupermarket.   This is on the street corner .

Around that corner and attached to the rear of the supermarket is The Bull public House and cafe..  From the rear of The Bull, steps lead down to the little western beach/rocky cove.-snipped -

These are the steps that several months ago I described as narrow and dangerous, shrubby overgrown, dark and dank..  Too dangerous then, imo, to carry a precious child down in the dark.  I visited in june/july 2010

Was chatting with Heri.  He visited more recently and now it has all changed

Newly concreted steps and wide and light, cos the overgrowing shrubs have been tamed and cut right back.  What was a way down by clinging to the wall on the LHS with steps little more than a shoe size wide, [cos the rest had crumbled ] is now newly concreted and the steps are now pristine and about a metre wide.


An altogether different place now.

At the bottom of the steps is a long walled pathway which opens out on to a rocky area.  When I was there, the tide must have been in, because there was no sand visible and the water was gently lapping over the flat rocks..  I didn't venture across them; they looked very slippery.

After dark, I doubt anyone carry a precious child would have gone down or ventured across those slippery looking flattish rocks

[VIXTE]

Regarding that church.. back in 2007 there was a strange rumour.. The father who was the father there was in his post only for a short time before Madeleine disappeared.

Prior to him, there was another father, I cannot remember his name, who was 'expelled' from the church.. there were rumours he accepted to church people who were not acceptable, only because they had money.. he also started changing the church rules.. and few other things.

He ended up starting his own church near by...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1524523/Sunshine-parishes-split-as-chaplain-is-forced-from-job.html

[pegasus]

.... At the bottom of the steps is a long walled pathway which opens out on to a rocky area...

If you look at a photo of the rectangular drain outlet, it is directly below that wall which seperates the path from the rocks.
 

...When I was there, the tide must have been in, because there was no sand visible and the water was gently lapping over the flat rocks......

It was low tide at 10pm 3rd May 2007, the small sandy beach and the rocks above it and the outlet in that wall were fully exposed.