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Silves

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Portugal, Algarve, Silves, Old town with Cathedral and castle

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Overview

Silves' winding backstreets of whitewashed buildings topped by terracotta roofs climb the hillside above the banks of the Rio Arade. Crowning the hill, hulking red-stone walls enclose one of the Algarve's best-preserved castles. Situated 17km northeast of Portim茫o, the town makes a good base if you鈥檙e after a less hectic, noncoastal Algarvian pace.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Castelo

    Castelo

    Silves

    This russet-coloured, Lego-like castle 鈥� originally occupied in the Visigothic period 鈥� has great views over the town and surrounding countryside. What鈥�

  • 厂茅

    厂茅

    Silves

    Just below the castle is the s茅, built in 1189 on the site of an earlier mosque, then rebuilt after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several鈥�

  • Museu Municipal de Arqueologia

    Museu Municipal de Arqueologia

    Silves

    Built tight against the defensive walls, this archaeological museum has a mix of interesting finds from the town and around. The modern building was鈥�

  • Centro de Interpreta莽ao do Patrim贸nio Isl芒mico

    Centro de Interpreta莽ao do Patrim贸nio Isl芒mico

    Silves

    This interpretative centre promotes the network of Islamic routes through Portugal, Spain and Morocco, with a small but interesting exhibition on鈥�

  • Igreja da Miseric贸rdia

    Igreja da Miseric贸rdia

    Silves

    The exterior of the 16th-century Igreja da Miseric贸rdia is plain apart from its distinctive, fanciful Manueline doorway hanging well above street level 鈥�

  • Casa da Cultura Isl芒mica e Mediterr芒nica

    Casa da Cultura Isl芒mica e Mediterr芒nica

    Silves

    Built with an art nouveau flourish in 1914, this wonderfully restored neo-Moorish cultural centre 600m west of the centre hosts occasional exhibitions,鈥�

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