Silves Things to Do

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Located in the city of Silves in the Algarve region of Portugal the castle was built between the 8th and 13th century AD and is considered to be the best preserved of the 'Moorish'castles of the country.The walls and towers that make up the castle are mainly a result of major campaigns and works by'Almoravides Amoadas'which was followed by others made during the first two dynasties and subsequent restoration.The castle is the most important Islamic Fortification of the current national territory,and was ranked in 1910,a national monument.

A small entry fee is required of a few Euros,opening times are 9am till 10pm and till 5pm in winter months.

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This is probably the most interesting place you can visit in Silves. On the site of the former cork factory called Fábrica Inglés, the Cork Museum is an award-winning place with informative history of the regional cork industry. The museum displays some azulejo paintings of the cork farmers in the earlier time, as well as the machines and tools people used to use to create the corks for wine bottles. It also has a section on the regional entrepreneurs who made a huge success. This museum is worth a visit; it is a very interesting place to go.

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La Catedral de Silves, es del siglo XIII y está dedicada a Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, fue construida con Gres de Silves , igual que el castillo , una arena de color rojizo .
De estilo gótico y con planta de cruz latina, se puede resaltar el ábside que tiene tres capillas, el pórtico de la fachada principal con capiteles góticos y la fachada sur, llamada Puerta del Sol, de estilo rococó y que es del siglo XVIII.

Silves Cathedral it was built in the thirteenth century and is dedicated to Our Lady of Conception, it was built with Gres from Silves, like the castle, a reddish-colored sand.
Gothic and with Latin cross plan, you can highlight the apse with three chapels, the portico of the main facade with Gothic capitals and the south facade, called Puerta del Sol, in rococo style and it was built on the eighteenth century.

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Silves fue una de las ciudades mejor fortificadas del Al-Andalus
El castillo está hecho con gres rojo de Silves y tiene once torres desde las que se ve todo el valle del río Arade
Sirvió desde el el siglo 12 como fortaleza militar y residencia de las autoridades

Silves was one of the best fortified cities of Al-Andalus
The castle is made of Silves red sandstone and has eleven towers from which to see the whole valley of the Arade river
Served from the 12th century as a military fortress and residence of the authorities

Los antiguos edificios de esta fábrica de corcho , que eran propiedad de un inglés , se han convertido en el "Museo del Corcho" ( Museo da Cortiça ), que tiene dos puntos fuertes : uno el museo en si , que ha sido nombrado un año mejor museo industrial de Europa y por otro la parte de ocio ya que a su alrededor hay jardines , restaurantes y mucha "movida" especialmente en verano

The old buildings of the cork factory, owned by an Englishman, have become the "Cork Museum (Museo da Cortiça), which has two strengths: the museum in itself, that has been named one year the best industrial museum in Europe and other that the leisure part because there are gardens around, restaurants and much "activity"especially in summer

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Silves' market is located near the Roman bridge and is fairly small and not so good looking or as well stocked as one's I'd been to in Loule or Olhao. There's a few eating options and cafes surrounding it.

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This large park is located along the main road that runs along the river and is named after a poet who lived in the 11th century who, I think, was governor of Silves between 1051 and 1091, as well as Seville and Marrakech.

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This museum has collections of archaeological finds from throughout the municipality of Silves, including a collection of Moorish ceramics from digs conducted at the castle. Other exhibits include artefacts from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and bronze age periods plus those from Roman occupation. The museum also contains a well-tank, dating back to Moorish times (11th century). The well was blocked up in the 16th century and the building which now contains the museum was built over it. Interestingly the rear of the museum building backs on to a section of the city ramparts. I managed to sneak off a few photos from inside as I don't think photography is allowed.

Open: 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays. Admission: €2.