Tourism Silves
Portugal > Tourism > Algarve > Silves
History | Places of Interest | Silves Town | Lodging | Beaches

The deep green foliage of orange trees in fertile valleys. The blue sea and the fast paced life of an international seaside resort. The picturesque charm of houses surrounded buy almond and carob trees. The broad sweep of hills that are a haven for ramblers and nature lovers. These are among the attractions of Silves district, a holiday destination where it is a pleasure simply to be alive Between orange groves and hills The vast triangle defined by Silves. São Bartolomeu de Messines and Armação de Pêra is a land of fruit trees and vegetable gardens, of small villages where the houses have whitewashed walls, with doors and windows picked out in blue, and ornate chimneys that resemble a more solid version of lace. A walk through this region is a chance to appreciate the glowing colours of oranges, the green foliage of almond trees, the broad crowns of carob trees and the fig trees that are often bent right to the ground.

To the north lie the hills, smooth and round as pebbles covered with typically Mediterranean vegetation consisting of evergreen oaks, arbutus-berry trees, oaks, cistus and gorse. In addition many other species of flora that have adapted to the poor schisty soils and harsh climate are interesting from a botanical point of view. In a landscape of heat and light, the Arade and Funcho dams open like cool windows and the scattered white houses of villages offer welcome relief the near desert conditions in the hills. The area as a whole is home to a variety of animal life, including approximately 80 species of nesting birds.

Places of Interest

São Bartolomeu de Messines Situated in a long, fertile valley, some of Sao Bartolomeu's streets such as Rua do Remexido,. which is spanned by an arch - retain the charm of a typical Algarve town. The poet João de Deus (1830-1896), whose reader "Cartilha Maternal" was widely used to teach reading and writing at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century,. was born here. The two houses in which he lived are indicated by plaques. Main church - The original church was built in the 16th century, in a transitional style between Manueline and Renaissance. To this was added at the beginning of the 18th century a baroque facade. The interior is made up of three naves with round arches supported by Solomon pillars. The triumphal arch of the main chapel has non-twisted triple columns. The two collateral chapels have rimmed Manueline vaults, while the arches of the side chapels proper already show the influence of the later Renaissance style. There are fine gilded and cared retables and the base relief polychrome pediments with their baroque decoration, are worthy of attention. The elegant pulpit with its stone staircase is made of local marble and is

a small masterpiece of baroque workmanship. Other objects in the church, including the table and basin in the sacristy and the font, are fashioned of the same marble. The church also boasts a fine collection of 16th to 18th century statues, pride of place in which goes to the pieces dedicated to the Virgin Mary: Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception). Nossa Senhora da Gloria (Our Lady of Glory) and Nossa Senhora da Saúde (Our Lady of Salvation).

Algoz Verdant orange, fig and almond trees surround this village which still retains a few old houses with prettily decorated chimneys and modest whitewashed hermitages. Main church - Displaying the architectural simplicity of the 18th century on the outside,. this church has within it a number of art treasures, ranging from the 17th century tiles that cover the walls and ceiling of the baptistery and some of the walls to great artistic effect and the gilded, caned retable in the rocaille style that adorns the Capela do Santissimo (Chapel of the Most Holy). Granary of Monte da Piedade (Mount of Piety) - This building belonged to the old mutual association which would support its member, with help in the form of loans. The entrance was possibly built using stone work from the 16th century In addition to a plaque bearing the date 1704, the facade has a decorative circular window and a cross made with patterned polychrome tiles (18th century). Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Pilar (Our lady of the Pillar) - Sited on top of a hill, this country chapel is a good place from which to view the surrounding landscape. Alcantarilha With its whitewashed walls, Alcantarilha's church dominates a village of modest houses scattered prettily across the hillside. Main church - All that remains of the original 16th century Structure is the Manueline main chapel, to which an 18th century carved and gilded retable has since been added. The baptismal chapel has a tiled ashlar (17th century) and in the sacristy, is a fine chest above ,which there is a niche decorated with acanthus leaves (18th century). Adjoining the church is a grisly Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). its walls and ceiling clad with approximately 1.500 skulls. Misericordia (Mercy) church - Unremarkable from the outside. Inside this church the statue and carved, added retable on the altar are worth seeing. Pêra In the streets around Pêra's church many of the houses are typically Algarve in appearance. Main church - The carved and gilded woodwork of the retables in the main chapel, the side chapels and the chapels of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary) and Sagrado Coração de Jesus (the Sacred Heart) are representative of art in the Algarve a at the time (18th century). The church's holy treasures include vestments and a finely crafted silver Monstrance. The churchyard affords excellent views of the surrounding fields and the sea.

Armação de Pêra It was for centuries a fishing tillage, a focal point for fishermen attracted by the abundance of fish especially, sardines and tuna, which was salted and sold in the south and centre of Portugal. To defend the settlement against raids from pirates and corsair, a small fort was built in the 17th century at the initiative of a prosperous boat owner. One of the walls of this old fortification with a doorway and above it the royal coat of arms, still stands on a slight elevation overlooking the sea. The chapel inside, which is dedicated to Santo Antonio (Saint Anthony), dates from the same period. These days, the fishermen's nets are still to be seen on Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen's beach). But it is to the tourists who come for its broad sands and warm waters that Armação de Pêra now ones its lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Lodging

Capela das Artes A hotel of 30 double rooms with air conditioning and telephone. A swimming pool for adults and one for children served by a bar. An "à la carte" restaurant with Portuguese and international specialities. A bar with a scenic view over the village of Alcantarilha. A reception hall, several conference rooms. A museum, several exhibition halls for painting and sculptures, a place for fabrication and sale of ceramics, workshops for painting and sculpting and all this in a classified site.

Hotel Garbe**** Situated in a prime position in the resort of Armação de Pêra, Hotel Garbe offers a welcoming atmosphere and a traditional cuisine combined with quality and comfort. The Hotel has superb views of the sea and the surrounding area, and has direct access to one of the most popular sandy beaches of the Algarve, from where the fishermen still sell their catch to the local market.

Colina dos Mouros*** Situated in the traditional town of Silves, the Colina dos Mouros Hotel has recently been extensively refurbished and is the real home from home. Surrounded by attractive gardens and with superb views of the town's castle and cathedral this friendly hotel will ensure that stay in the Algarve is a memorable one.

History | Places of Interest | Silves Town | Lodging | Beaches
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