Castro Marim, the medieval
Whoever dreams of living an episode of a medieval adventure will have the opportunity to have this experience in Castro Marim, the time of a celebration when the whole city goes back in time and puts itself in the time of the Middle Ages. The mayor of the municipality and the entire population actively participate in the festivities by becoming knights and damsels, wrestlers and fire-eaters, and are eagerly involved in the reconstruction of the 13th century, searching in every detail for the authenticity of uses and customs to bring back to life the memory of the victorious past. A reconstruction which ends in apotheosis with a sumptuous medieval banquet of 1,000 guests within the castle grounds, restoring the splendour and splendour of the medieval courtyards.
The construction of this amazing castle overlooking the Guadiana River was ordered by King D. Afonso III in the 13th century out of a need for defensive structures. Indeed, its strategic position in the middle of the Sapal marshes protected the southern part of the coast from the Moors who had occupied this area for a few centuries before being expelled by the Christians. In 1319, King D. Dinis, nicknamed the Troubadour, had the fortifications reinforced and the castle became the seat of the Order of Christ, replacing the Knights Templar. Henry the Navigator, governor of the Order, lived in the castle of Castro Marim. Over the centuries, the monarchs successively restored the fortress, consecrating it as the main stronghold of the Algarve. After the earthquake, only a few walls and a ruined church are still standing to tell the story.Castelo de Silves, the oriental
The largest castle in the Algarve was built by the Moors as an impressive acropolis, used to govern the entire region. Considered the best preserved in the region, it reflects the splendour of Islamic civilisation in Portugal. Its crenellated red sandstone enclosure, hence its other name of Al Hamra (the red), dominates the city and beautifully surrounds the white houses of Silves. Its dominant defensive elements date back to the Almohad era of Islamic occupation (18th-13th centuries), when the first five kings of Portugal fought for Christian reconquest. Excavations within the enclosure have uncovered an impressive vaulted cistern, a discovery without parallel for the archaeological heritage of Silvenska. The Cisterna da Moura owes its name to the legend that on the night of Saint John, we hear the laments of a Moorish princess hoping that a sultan will come to free her from her fate. On the parapet walk you can stroll along the many panoramic views of the Serra de Monchique and the green Arade valley.
Aljezur Castle, the panoramic view
You have to climb the picturesque alleys of the village of Aljezur to reach its castle, the cradle of the current village. Built in stone masonry, this fortified complex has a polygonal plan adapted to the terrain. Adjacent to the ramparts, a semi-circular keep to the north and a quadrangular tower to the south were built. Inside there is a cistern and the ruins of a group of dwellings used during the Christian medieval period. The castle of Aljezur was part of the defensive system of Silves during the 12th and 13th centuries. During the Christian Reconquest, it became the possession of the Military Order of Santiago and was incorporated into Portuguese territory. Little by little, it lost its geostrategic importance and was abandoned from the 16th century onwards. The ramparts were partially rebuilt in the 1940s and from the top, after some effort to climb, beautiful views of the river, the plains and the houses with lean-to roofs are offered.
Paderne, the patriotic
Built in adobe (a mixture of mud, chalk and lime) by the Almohads in the second half of the 12th century, the castle of Paderne near Albufeira is a significant example of Muslim military architecture. It includes a quadrangular tower more than 9 metres high, which still survives today. The two cisterns of the castle bear witness to the periods of Islamic and Christian occupation. Dear to the hearts of the Algarvians and Portuguese, it is one of the seven castles represented on the coat of arms of the national flag.
Tavira, the mysterious
At the top of the hill in the historic city centre is the Tavira Castle. The date of its construction is uncertain, but the remains of a Phoenician wall have recently been found within its walls. Some sources indicate that it was already built during the Reconquista of the city on 11 July 1239 by Dom Paio Peres Correi. Because of Tavira's importance to the Portuguese crown, it subsequently underwent several renovations over the centuries. But during the 1755 earthquake, the castle and the town were massively destroyed. From the top of the fortress you have splendid views of the city, the Ponte Romana and the river Gilão, and you can stroll at leisure in its flowery gardens composed of rare species.
Castle of Loulé, the imperious
Rebuilt in the 13th century, Loulé Castle is of Moorish origin and has a large fortified perimeter. After centuries of degradation, the castle rose again thanks to the first Count of Loulé, Henrique de Meneses, in 1422, a year of great prosperity in the town. Once again, the 1755 earthquake seriously damaged the structure of the building. This national monument is distinguished by its surrounding wall, one of the most remarkable in the entire region, as well as its towers. Its restored ruins now house the Municipal Archaeological Museum, where Roman pottery and an interesting collection of Bronze Age items are on display. A glass floor allows you to see the Moorish ruins that have been unearthed.
Fort São João do Arade, the private sector
This beautiful photogenic fort has the peculiarity of standing on the two beaches of Angrinha and Grande, and watching like a sentinel over the Arade River. Built on solid rock, it is a rare bastion to have resisted the ravages of the 1755 earthquake and it continues to dominate the mouth of the river with its majestic stature. Acquired by the poet Coelho Carvalho and converted into private property, it can only be admired from the outside.
