Castle of Silves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle of Silves |
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| Castelo de Silves | |
| Faro, Algarve, Algarve in Portugal | |
Aerial view of Silves castle
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| Coordinates | 37°11′27.56″N 8°26′16.46″W / 37.1909889°N 8.4379056°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Operator | Câmara Municipal de Silves |
| Open to the public |
Public |
| Site history | |
| Built | c. 201 BCE |
| Materials | Taipa, Silves Sandstone, Masonry, Wood |
The Castle of Silves is an old castle located in the town of Silves, in the Algarve region of Portugal. People think the first defenses here were built by the Romans or Visigoths around 201 BCE. Later, from the 8th to the 13th centuries, the castle was controlled by the Moorish people. They made it much bigger and stronger. Today, it's one of the best-preserved Moorish castles in Portugal and is considered a National Monument.
History
Archaeologists believe the very first fort on this spot was a small settlement built by ancient Lusitanian people. Around 201 BCE, the Romans took over Silves. They turned it into an important fort and a busy trading center. This area did well for about 500 years under Roman rule.
Around 716 CE, the Umayyad Caliphate conquered the fort from the Visigoths. The new Moorish rulers built many new walls and made the castle much stronger. This was a time of great growth for Silves. The city and its castle became very important.
In 1160, Ferdinand I of León and Castile attacked and took the castle. But the Christians only held it for a short time. The Moors quickly recaptured it. Later, in 1189, King Sancho I of Portugal led a large army, helped by Crusaders. They fought a long siege and finally conquered the city.
However, a big army led by Amir al-Mu'minin took the city back in 1191. During the 11th century, the Moors built impressive buildings like the Palace of Balconies. The walls and towers we see today were mostly built by the Almoravides and Almohads in the 12th and 13th centuries. The castle had a large underground cistern to collect rainwater. This cistern provided fresh water for the people living nearby until the 1920s.
The castle was finally taken by Christian forces for good in the 13th century. This happened during the reign of King Afonso III of Portugal, led by D. Paio Peres Correia.
Royal Times
In 1266, King Afonso III of Portugal gave Silves special rights to help it grow. Later kings like Denis and Fernando I of Portugal also offered land to encourage people to live there. Even when Henry the Navigator was made governor of Silves in 1457, the area didn't develop much.
On November 1, 1755, a huge earthquake hit Lisbon. The castle was badly damaged by this earthquake. Its cathedral, towers, and walls were all affected. The dungeons were rebuilt in the 18th century after the earthquake.
During the Liberal Wars in the 19th century, local people repaired the castle walls. They used materials they found, not always following the original plans.
Modern Era
In the 1940s, the government started working on the castle. They removed buildings that were attached to the walls. They also lowered the ground level near the entrance and in the main square. Parts of the guardhouse were re-tiled, and a damaged tower was rebuilt. Many walls were fixed, and the main tower was made stronger. The castle gates were repaired, and the large cistern was cleaned.
In 1965, more wall repairs were done. In 1967, a museum was started inside some of the castle towers. They decorated the towers with local tiles and added electricity.
From 1971 onwards, there were many more repairs and rebuilds. Walls were made stronger, and new stones were added. The gates were replaced, and rooftops were fixed. In the 2000s, work was done to restore the dungeons. They added new wooden beams and improved water drainage. A center for art and archaeology also helped create a botanical garden in the old Governor's garden.
Restoration work and archaeological digs are still happening today. More old buildings are being found just outside the castle walls.
Architecture
The Castle of Silves is shaped like an uneven polygon. It sits on top of a hill overlooking the town of Silves. The castle has four towers and seven strong points with battlements. These are all connected by thick walls.
There are two gates. The main gate is between two towers. The other is called the Traitor's Gate and is cut into the northern wall. Next to the main gate is the guardhouse, which has a vaulted ceiling and is covered in tiles.
Inside the castle's courtyard, there are several underground structures. The Cistern of Moura is a huge underground water tank. It is 10 meters (33 feet) high and covers 820 square meters (8,800 square feet). It has five sections supported by columns and arches. Another well, the Cisterna dos Cães, is 60 meters (200 feet) deep. It also helped supply water to the castle.
Inside the Castle
On the second floor of what was the Governor's residence, there are two rooms with painted wooden ceilings. One room has a painting of royal symbols, surrounded by shells and leaves. On the side panels, there are paintings of military items like armor, flags, and cannons. The other room has a painting of Mars, the Roman god of war, surrounded by figures and flowers.
In the main military square, near the southwest wall, you can see the remains of an old house. People believe this was where Prince Henry lived when he was the governor of the Algarve. You can still see its stone staircase and parts of a large living room.
Images for kids
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A statue of Sancho I of Portugal whose forces, supported by an even stronger Crusader army, conquered the citadel of Silves in 1189
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The imposing citadel as seen from below in the surrounding district of Silves
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The pathways that provide visitors a close glimpse of the archaeological excavations in Silves Castle
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The visitor and interpretative centre within the shadow of the castle
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Entrance to the castle
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A remnant of the short Visigothic occupation of the hilltop
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The vaulted Moorish windows of the Palace of Balconies
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See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Silves para niños
