Summer Holiday 2014,
Portimão, Portugal
June 2014






Day 4
Thursday, June 5th


Today is going to be a touristic touring day. We will be going to explore the Western part of the Algarve by bus. A local guide who knows all about the Algarve accompanies us. The first leg off our journey brings us to the interior of the Algarve. We are heading north to a city called Silves. During the bus ride the guide tells us all about the things that are typical for the Algarve.

The name Algarve is derived from the Arab name Al-Gharb, that was given to this region when it was part of the Muslim Caliphate from 711 till about 1249. The original Muslim name for this region was Al-Gharb Al-Andalus, meaning "The West of Al-Andalus". Al-Andalus is the name that was given to the Iberian peninsula by the Morish rulers during this period.

The name Al-Andalus comes from the Arab name of "Al-Wandaluz", which means "land of the Vandals. Hereby refering to the Vandals who then occupied Iberian peninsula. The Vandals were later conquered by the Visigoths, which ruled till 711 AD. It took until about 1490 before the Muslims were pushed out off the Iberic peninsula, back to the African mainland.

Having arrived in Silves, the former capital of the Moorish Algarve, we are briefed about the history of the town, and the Moorish influence in this part of the region. The regions, which are now known as Spain and Portugal, were once part of an Islamic empire that (711 to 1492) reached all the way up to the Pyrenees. Hence all the towns names starting with the letters AL. The Al-garve, Al-vor, Al-bufeira, Al-cantarilha and many more towns names like this in Portugal, as well as in Spain.

We are going to visit the Moorish stronghold that was build here on top of the hill. The climb to the castle is a steep one; and leads through the narrow medieval streets of Silves, which are paved with large cobblestones. This is the biggest castle in the Algarve and the most beautiful military monument to the Islamic period in Portugal. Built between the 8th and 13th century, the castle is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortifications in Portugal.





It has its origins in the ramparts built around the town during the Moorish occupation, probably on the site of late Roman or Visigoth fortifications (4th /5th centuries).

Its eleven towers, two of which are barbicans - joined to the ramparts by a supporting arch that holds up the walkway - and thick walls enclose an area of approximately 12,000 m2. The double entrance is gateway defended by two towers and the opening of the traitors gate in the north facing walls still remains.

Four of the towers have gothic doorways, vaulted halls a stones bearing the marks of medieval masons. An interesting fact about the castle is its water cellar. It allegedly can hold so much water, that the forces trapped inside the castle could last a siege for up to four years.

By the way, a barbican is a fortified outpost or gateway, such as an outer defence to a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge, which is used for a defensive purpose. A rampart is a type of defensive wall.

Having explored the castle, we follow the streets down to the Arade river. Facing the river is the local Mercado, a market hall where the locals offer their merchandise for sale. This can be clothing and other non-food, but also food stuffs. Vegetables, fish, meat and bakery products are available here.

After having spent an hour or so in Silves, we board the bus again and are on our way to the mountains of Monchiques.



Continues on the next page....











and welcome!




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Historic information about the chapel.

Historic information
about the chapel.



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Moorish castle

Moorish castle



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Moorish castle

Moorish castle



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A model of the castle

A model of the castle



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Silves market

Silves market



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Silves market

Silves market