Silves Cathedral
History
The Silves Cathedral is located below the famous castle of the town. The original took shape at the site of a former mosque in 1189. Silves was an important city during the Muslim era the river was significantly wider, allowing boats to navigate along its length to Portimão and the sea.
The construction of this church started after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several times following earthquake damage. The current building comes from the 13th century but more additions in the 15th and 16th centuries and post-earthquake 18th century repairs. It retains some of its original grandeur even after suffering many earthquakes.
Lining the cathedral walls are the tombs, belonging to bishops and crusaders who died taking the city back from the Muslims. King Jao II (John II) died near Alvor, his body was brought to Silves and buried here. In 1499, his remains were exhumed and transferred to the Monastery of Batalha. Today, the this cathedral is a quiet place and and its turbulent history is left behind and very few people visit the palace, apart from the locals.
