Silves Attractions

The little country town of Silves (altitude: 85m/280ft), situated on the Rio Arade (Rio de Silves) 11mi northeast of Portimao and surrounded by forests of corkoak, was once the Moorish city of Xelb, capital of the AlGharb, and as such, with its 40,000 population at that time, was an intellectual and cultural center that rivaled Granada in splendor and influence. Silves no longer presents itself as the large town it once was, however, now it is just a sleepy little place, although with some historically significant buildings which attract large numbers of day visitors. However, restaurants and cafes are rather few and far between.

History

The town is believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was ruled by the Moors from the first half of the eighth C. until its recapture from the Moors by Afonso III in 1242. It became the see of a bishop, but after the transfer of the see in 1580 to the new capital, Faro, and the destruction caused by the 1755 earthquake it sank into obscurity and insignificance.

Townscape

Silves is still an attractive oldworld little town, presenting a charming picture with some venerable and handsome burghers' houses.