"Kingdom of the Algarve" a Silves Travel Page by Gerrem

This city was once the capital of the whole district and 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 and can be traced 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 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 importance until its commerce began to decline in the 15th Century due the silting-up of the Rio Arade that had given the town access to the sea. 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 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 of the Romans occupation 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.