Castelo de Silves

Silves Castle is the largest in the Algarve and one of the most notable works of military architecture bequeathed by the Arabs. The structure was composed of several elements: the citadel, the Almedina walls, the Curaçao, the Arrabalde walls, and several moats. The walls are shaped like an irregular polygon, consisting of eleven rectangular towers. The citadel is the most important area, where two cisterns from the original period and the well, called the Moorish Cisterna, can be seen. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a Muslim dwelling, called the "Palácio das Varandas," the residence of the city's lord. The mixture of clay, gravel, sand, and lime with local red sandstone gives the building its reddish hue. From the castle's towers and walls, you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding region.