View over the Algarve town of Silves at dusk. In medieval times Silves was the capital of the Algarve and the River Arade was navigable from the see.
Although still a relatively important administrative town Silves has been eclipsed by the massive tourist developments on the coast.
© Can Stock Photo Inc /philipus
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View up to the Moorish castle which overlooks the Algarve town of Silves.
This large castle is said to be the best example of a Moorish castle to be found in Portuga.
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The Sé Velha (old cathedral) in Silves was started in the 15th century, but was remodelled in the 18th century after the 1755 earthquake.
It has a Gothic vestibule and remains of a Baroque façade, plus a big ogival window. Inside there are three naves, a Renaissance retable and marble tombstones.
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A small section of the castle at Silves.
The town was the Moorish capital of the Algarve and although recaptured by Christian forces once in 1189, was ruled by the Moors until 1242.
The castle was badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake and it was not until the 1940s that its restoration began
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Silves is an attractive town with a rich history built on the banks of the River Arade. The river was navigable in historical times and represented an important link between the hinterland and the coast. The town, which is built on top of one of the largest underground aquifers in the south of Portugal, the Querenca-Silves aquifer, straddles the river and retains a medina-style gate, the Porta de Loule, and parts of the poured concrete walls that date back to the time of Moorish occupation.