Some of the monuments in the city of Silves will be open and can be visited by the public during the XII Medieval Fair. They are the Castle, the Misericórdia Church and the Municipal Archeology Museum.
The Castle of Silves, which is a National Monument, is also the most emblematic monument in the city. This fortification, with a polygonal fence, is composed of a powerful mud wall, covered in red sandstone from the region. In addition to being a defensive space, it was the residence of governors, their military contingents and administration officials. The vestiges of palatine dwellings that can be seen inside are the physical proof of this evidence.
As in other castles, the presence of a large cistern and silos for the storage of cereals is imperative, in order to face the restrictions inherent to the siege periods. Here, the large Muslim aljibe was built around the 90th and XNUMXth centuries and supplied the city with water until the XNUMXs of the XNUMXth century.
The Municipal Museum of Archeology will also be open to visitors throughout the event, deserving a visit for the renowned archaeological remains that it presents and the temporary exhibition “For over 25 years to conserve and restore”.
Inaugurated in 1990, this space was built around the admirable Almohad Well-Cisterna dating back to the 80th-XNUMXth centuries – discovered after archaeological excavations carried out in the XNUMXs of the XNUMXth century. XNUMXth century and today classified as a National Monument – which became the centerpiece of the collection.
Scenically, it also integrates the city wall from the same period, making the set one of the most important of the Islamic heritage in Portugal.
The Misericórdia Church will also be open to the public. Inside, you can see the image of the visitation on the central panel of the main altarpiece, surrounded by the seven works of mercy.
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