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Silves City in Portugal

Introduction

Shilb (Arabic name for Silves) was one of the most important towns in the western al-Andalus. Due to its location, beside the river, the city was a hub for trade and other economic activities. The river itself was significantly wider, allowing boats to navigate. The fortunes of Silves have been closely tied to the river and city prospered. The area around the city was fertile and agriculture flourished. 

Beautiful flowers beside the N124-1, on the banks of the River Arade
Beautiful flowers beside the N124-1, on the banks of the River Arade
I saw these wild flowers growing in the grass
Arriving at the entrance of the hotel, I was staying in Silves city Portugal
A goat roaming inside an orange orchard, this orchard was planted between N124 and the River Arade
A goat roaming inside an orange orchard, this orchard was planted between N124 and the River Arade
Roads are built on the both sides of the river, there is one built on its bank while other one is N124-1
Roads are built on the both sides of the river, there is one built on its bank while other one is N124-1
N124 is one of the main roads which goes through Silves, beside the river
N124 is one of the main roads which goes through Silves, beside the river
This structure appears to look like a medieval gate (newly built), in front of a car park
This structure appears to look like a medieval gate (newly built), in front of a car park
In this photo, the Castle of Silves rises above the city
In this photo, the Castle of Silves rises above the city
Orange orchard beside the River Arade, the river is flowing gently just behind the reed
A statue at the Park of Al Mouatamid Ibn Abbad
A statue at the Park of Al Mouatamid Ibn Abbad
This park is located between Rua da Cruz de Portugal and N124
This park is located between Rua da Cruz de Portugal and N124
Graffiti at a wall of Rua da Cruz de Portugal, next to the park
Graffiti at a wall of Rua da Cruz de Portugal, next to the park
More graffiti at the wall beside the Al Mouatamid Ibn Abbad Park
A shop selling souvenirs for the ourists at the street which starts from the Turret of the City Gate
A shop selling souvenirs for the ourists at the street which starts from the Turret of the City Gate
Some of the items were placed inside the basket
Some of the items were placed inside the basket

A Power Struggle

As the river silted up the prosperity of Silves dwindled and the town was reduced to a population of less than 500 people. Nowadays, Silves is a great showpiece of the powerful Moorish settlement which existed here. In 1160, Silves was taken by Ferdinand I of Leon from the Muslim rule but Muslims re-took the castle from the Christian hands. He took castle from the Muslims in 1189 but soon he lost this castle in 1191. The Muslim army kept this castle for another 58 years. 
Finally, Paio Peres Correia, Grand-Master of the Order of Santiago took Silves from the Muslims in 1242. There are old city walls at Rua do Mirante, probably this wall was part of the city defensive system, extended from the castle.

City walls at Rua do Mirante - Silves City Portugal
City walls at Rua do Mirante - Silves City Portugal
These steps go to the upper parts of the hill, from the meeting of Rua do Mirante and Rua Cândido dos Reis
These steps go to the upper parts of the hill, from the meeting of Rua do Mirante and Rua Cândido dos Reis
While walking towards the Castle of Silves, I saw this carpet being hand washed with a water pipe
While walking towards the Castle of Silves, I saw this carpet being hand washed with a water pipe
Looking back at the city offers a wonderful view of the surrounding areas
Looking back at the city offers a wonderful view of the surrounding areas
There is a small pedestrian section between Rua do Mirante and Rua da Porta de Loulé
There is a small pedestrian section between Rua do Mirante and Rua da Porta de Loulé
Looking downwards at the Rua do Mirante with the wall extending beside it
Looking downwards at the Rua do Mirante with the wall extending beside it
A lamp atop the city walls, leading to the Silves Cathedral
A lamp atop the city walls, leading to the Silves Cathedral
Cobbled streets of Silves, this looked very shiny and slippery at Rua da Sé
Cobbled streets of Silves, this looked very shiny and slippery at Rua da Sé
A section of the city walls, this part lies behind the Municipal Museum of Archaeology
A section of the city walls, this part lies behind the Municipal Museum of Archaeology
A stork nest above the Turret of the City Gate (Torreão da Porta da Cidade)
A stork nest above the Turret of the City Gate (Torreão da Porta da Cidade)
Stork nest at the top of a chimney - Silves City Portugal
Stork nest at the top of a chimney - Silves City Portugal
A chimney at Rua do Moinho da Porta
A chimney at Rua do Moinho da Porta
Beautiful tiles at the exterior of a house
Beautiful tiles at the exterior of a house
Front door of a house, close to the Castle of Silves
Front door of a house, close to the Castle of Silves
One of the towers of the castle can be seen behind the roof of a house
One of the towers of the castle can be seen behind the roof of a house

 There is a beautiful Town Hall Square with the Town Hall seen above it. Praça do Município has few cafes around it and a central pool. More ruins of the city walls are visible at this square. 

Cruz de Portugal is located at a roundabout, opposite Cemitério Municipal de Silves. The Cross of Portugal is an impressive sight, standing at 3m tall and made out of limestone. Recognised as one of the most beautiful crosses in Portugal, Cruz de Portugal has a representation of the crucifixion on one side, and on the other the Mater Dolorosa. It is believed to be 15th century or beginning of the 16th century – the base dates from 1824.

Town Hall Square - Silves City Portugal
Town Hall Square - Silves City Portugal
Locally, this square is known as Praça do Município
Locally, this square is known as Praça do Município
A little wine shop at Praça do Município, with the ruins of the city walls in the background
Old walls of Silves City in Portugal, beside the Town Hall Square
Old walls of Silves City in Portugal, beside the Town Hall Square
A section of the wall extends into the square
A section of the wall extends into the square
A small car parked at the Rua 25 de Abril, next to the Town Hall Square
A small car parked at the Rua 25 de Abril, next to the Town Hall Square
Cruz de Portugal is located at a roundabout, opposite Cemitério Municipal de Silves
Cruz de Portugal is located at a roundabout, opposite Cemitério Municipal de Silves
The Cross of Portugal - Silves City Portugal
The Cross of Portugal - Silves City Portugal
The cross comes from the end of 15 or beginning of the 16th century
The cross comes from the end of 15 or beginning of the 16th century
Base of the Cruz de Portugal
Base of the Cruz de Portugal
Main gate of the Silves Cemetery at Rua do Cemitério
Main gate of the Silves Cemetery at Rua do Cemitério
From the entrance gate, a path goes inside the cemetery Silves City Portugal
From the entrance gate, a path goes inside the cemetery Silves City Portugal
Well maintained graves inside the Cemitério Municipal de Silves
Well maintained graves inside the Cemitério Municipal de Silves
A wooden sign pointing towards the city's most famous monument, the Castle of Silves
A wooden sign pointing towards the city's most famous monument, the Castle of Silves
Old Town of Silves City Portugal
Old Town of Silves City Portugal

The hotel I was staying in, it was designed on Muslim architecture. Vaulted arches and oriental lamps rekindle old memories of the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Even one room was named as ‘al-Andalus Room’ in the hotel. Corridors of the hotel were decorated with many items which remind us the great cultural influence had left here by the Muslims. I was told that this hotel was once a restaurant but later building was turned into a hotel. 

Two storks are resting in their nest beside a ruined building
Two storks are resting in their nest beside a ruined building
Old walls of Silves at Rua do Mirante - Silves CIty Portugal
Carpets are spread out at the city walls for drying, I have seen these carpets being washed earlier
Carpets are spread out at the city walls for drying, I have seen these carpets being washed earlier
Steps leading to the lower parts of the city
A smaller channel of the River Arade, surrounded by the vegetation
Silves seen from the pool of the hotel at dusk
Silves seen from the pool of the hotel at dusk
A breathtaking view of the Silves town seen from N269-1
Interior of the hotel I was staying in, it was designed on Muslim architecture
Arches and oriental lamps inside the hotel - Silves City Portugal
A decorative roundel inside the hotel
Make no mistake, the name of the room is Al-Andalus Living Room
Make no mistake, the name of the room is Al-Andalus Living Room
The corridor had paintings and murals depicting Muslim past in Portugal
A view of the castle from the hotel
A view of the castle from the hotel
A panoramic view of the Silves city
A panoramic view of the Silves city
The Cathedral of Silves, seen from the hotel
The Cathedral of Silves, seen from the hotel