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SILVES - DESCRIPTION
This city was once the capital of the whole district and was still referred
to in the beginning of 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 Silves can be traced
back to existing some 1.000 BC. Evidence shows that it was already a place
of note 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 created a cultural centre
of learning for the whole Iberian Peninsular. Although it was important as
a town it still fell under the mantle and control of Cordoba in Spain.
They imported lions and other wild animals that are reputed to have roamed
freely through exotic gardens in palaces under its Seville based powerful
ruler Al-Mutamid. Born in Beja in 1040, he became at the tender
age of thirteen the 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. Two years later it was retaken by the Caliph Ben Yussef. It
was only in 1242 that it was again under the control of the Portuguese Kings.
From 1250 until 1267 and with the encouragement of Pope Innocent IV, the
Algarve became a battle ground for its ownership between the Portuguese King
Afonso III and the King of Castile. The matter was settled in the favour of
the Portuguese by the Treaty of Badajoz.
Silves continued in importance as a main town of the Algarve until its commerce
began a slow decline in the 15th Century due the silting-up of the Rio Arade
that had given the town good access to the sea. (The authorities are at present
involved in re-establishing this important link by dredging the river). In 1544
the Bishop moved his residence to Faro. A specialty of the town are the
“Morgados” cakes made with pumpkin.
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 reservoirs that are still used
by the city today. The biggest 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 of the Romans
occupation is the Ponte Romana, a fine strong bridge over the Rio
Arade below the city walls and having been 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 remains 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 was once the biggest orange growing area in Portugal and the
local quality of this fruit still enjoys fame over other areas in Portugal
and neighbouring Spain. There has been a popular recent decision to site a
new University in Silves to recreate its links with its past.
SILVES GOLF COURSE - Silves Golf
GOLF ACCOMMODATION
- Where to Stay
DISTANCES
Approximate distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
In order to read the above document please download Acrobat Reader -
(Click Here)
SILVES EVENTS
3rd Saturday & Sunday of August - Feira da Laranja
3rd Monday every month - Market Day
3rd September - Municipal Day
SILVES - INFORMATION
SILVES AREA RESTAURANTS - Where to eat
Symbol ratings shown against a restaurant are as follows:
 Michelin Star (2004) -
 Rating for Comfort -
 Value for money
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