Castle of Silves

The Castle of Silves preserves one of the most notable works of military architecture built during the Muslim occupation of Portugal. The city and the castle point to an Islamic foundation, and the first known reference is attributed to al-Razi in the 10th century, when he describes Silves as a town with a castle and as the best in the Algarve.

Located on the hilltop above the city, the ensemble corresponds to the former citadel of Islamic Xilb. With an irregular plan, it brings together an imposing military rammed-earth wall, faced with red sandstone from Silves, and includes eleven towers — nine attached and two albarrana towers — connected by a 388-metre wall walk.