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 Silves
History
This city was once the capital of the whole district and that was still
referred to in the early 19th century as the “Kingdom of the Algarve”. So
much history is attached to Silves and its surrounding area that only
a book would do it justice! Standing proudly on a hill the origin of the
town traces back to existing some 1.000 BC. Evidence shows that it was
already a notable place in Roman times but it really became an important
place during its occupation in the early 11th century by the Moors. Giving
it the name of Xelb, they constructed lavish palaces and it became
the cultural centre of learning for the whole Iberian Peninsular although it
was still fell under the mantle of Cordoda in Spain. They imported
lions and other wild animals that are reputed to have roamed freely through
exotic gardens under its Seville based powerful ruler Al-Mutamid.
Born in Beja in 1040 he became at the tender age of 13 years old
ruler of Silves
until later when he moved to Spain. It is recorded that in 1189 there were
over 15.000 inhabitants when the Knights of Santiago sacked the city with
the assistance of the Anglo-Norman Crusaders. Under the control of the
Portuguese Kings it continued in importance until its commerce began to
decline in the 15th century due the silting-up of the Rio Arade that
gave the town access to the sea. A speciality of the town are the
“Morgados” cakes made with pumpkin.
Silves
Description
Most of the town and nearly all its ancient buildings were destroyed by the
earthquake of 1755. The impressive remains of the castle dates back to Moors
and there is a impressive underground water reservoir that is still used by
the city today. It has the romantic name of “Cistern of the Enchanted
Moorish Girl” and was said to be a principal factor in the fall of the town
during its siege. The Museu Arqueológico has been constructed above
the cistern and here a visitor will find exhibits of locally found objects
included items from the Stone Age. As a reminder to the Romans occupation
there is the Ponte Romana, a fine strong bridge over the Rio Arade
below the city walls and rebuilt from the original in the 15th century. The
city’s earlier 13th century Cathedral was built on the site of a Mosque and
has suffered considerable alteration over the centuries. To the southwest
side of the town is a modern statue celebrating the siege of 1189 in an
appropriately named square,
Largo dos Mártires, where it is suggested that the bodies of the
defending Moors were buried. Just to the northeast of the city is a
fascinating 16th century granite cross that is located beside the road to
the north. The countryside around Silves is devoted to the growing of
oranges and other neighbouring towns’ share in the economic benefits from
this product. There has been a popular recent decision to site a new
University in Silves to recreate its links with its past.
Silves
Nearby Locations
Another administrative and rural town named Lagoa is only 8
kilometres to the south. To the southeast is the town of Alcantarilha
whose main claim to fame is a chapel lined with hundreds of bones belonging
to earlier inhabitants. Further to the south of Alcantarilha
is the beach town of Armação de Pera with its long beautiful sandy
beach. Lying to the north of the fertile valleys of Silves is an area
of attractive forest covered hills that eventually lead up to the mountains
of Monchique. The large national Dams of Arade and
Foz are well worth visiting for the beauty of their natural setting.
Silves
Events
3rd Saturday & Sunday of August - Feira da Laranja
3rd Monday every month - Market Day
3rd September - Municipal Day
 Useful
Silves Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 282 442 325
Fire Brigade - 282 322 666
Police - 282 442 414
Emergency Treatment - 282 440 020
Ambulance - 282 322 666
Tourist Office - 282 442 255
Algarve
Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António |
