Written on : 24 September 2019 By : Melchior Burin des Roziers
To the west of Portimão, east of Loulé, southeast of Albufeira and southwest of Lagoa... we have the magnificent Silves! We invite you to discover this charming city for a day for an authentic Portuguese experience.
Silves has a long history. Populated by Indo-Europeans such as the Celts, it became a trading base during the Phoenician era. Named Silbis or Clipes in Roman times, the city grew into a large colony. It was then the turn of the Arabs to make Xelb the capital of the small Muslim kingdom of Algarve.
Thus, in the 12th century, a castle, a port and shipyards were built. Trade was well developed due to the ports of the Mediterranean and Africa, which led to a city which was to be famous for its poets and sages. Following this, the rest of the century was a conquest to finally see the city permanently attached to Portugal with the Algarve - officially in the year 1189.
All this history means that today there is a great architectural richness that shows through all this complex cultural heritage. But unfortunately, the 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the Moorish architecture.
"Sé de Silves" was built on the site of a mayor's mosque in the 13th century. But transformed in the 15th century into a Gothic style. As mentioned above, it was destroyed by the famous earthquake, after which the reconstruction was carried out in a more baroque style. Come and admire this beautiful masterpiece and spot the pink granite columns, vaults and gargoyles which are still Gothic.
Interestingly, John II, a king of Portugal, was buried there in 1495 - what other mysteries will you unearth?
The Fortress
"Castelo de Silves", also known as "Château Al Hamra" (the red one), has a crenellated red sandstone enclosure, which extends over 1.2 hectares. Inherited from the Romans, Visigoths and Moors, this fortress struggled throughout the civil conflict before being severely damaged by the earthquake of 1755.
Restored in 1835, the fortress can be visited by the public - it even hosts a beer festival every July. As it is the largest castle in the Algarve, it offers superb views of Silves, the irrigated valley of the Arade and the Serra de Monchique. The small garden and fountains are extremely pleasant. Enjoy a coffee here right in the centre of the compound.
In winter, most of the chimneys on the ramparts are used as storks' nests.
Open every day from 9am to 5.30pm in winter and from 9am to 7pm in summer, until 8pm in July and August. Costing 2.80€ per person for entry.
Igreja da Misericórdia
A very stark building, with little decoration and with a single nave facing the cathedral. This church was built and offered to Queen Leonor by King John II (the same one who is buried in the cathedral). The Manueline portal can be seen in its original structure. The interior also has a very interesting Mannerist altarpiece. Seven panels represent the "Seven Works of Bodily Mercy": feeding the hungry, giving water to those who are thirsty, dressing those who are naked, welcoming pilgrims, assisting the sick, visiting prisoners, burying the dead. A scene of the Visitation can be found in the centre of the altarpiece, dating from 1727/1728.
This church, classified as a "monument of public interest" is now similar to an art gallery and presents exhibitions of painting and plastic arts.
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm.
The bridge and the alleys
On the Arade river that crosses the city of Silves, a very pretty 15th-century bridge is the perfect destination for a little stroll in the city. It has an apron supported by five semicircular arches which pillars are protected by four typically medieval woodcarvings.
Stroll through the charming alleys of the city and take the opportunity to stop in a quaint restaurant like the "Churrasqueira Valdemar" near the Mercado Municipal de Silves.
If you have the opportunity to jet off to Silves - we wish you a nice little getaway!
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