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 Silves - History
This city was once the capital of the whole district and that was
still referred to in the 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 Cordoba 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 its
importance until the 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 specialty of the town is the “Morgados”
cakes made with pumpkin filling.
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 an 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 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 the biggest orange growing area in Portugal 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 kms.
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
Silves Map
Town Map
Silves Distances
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
In order to read the above document please download Acrobat Reader (Click Here)
 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
Silves Accommodation
Hotels
Silves Golf Courses
www.algarvegolf.net
Silves Property
Estate Agents
Silves Restaurants
Selected List in Silves Area
Silves Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
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
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