The lecture “Historical Heritage and Sustainable Tourism”, by Vítor Neto, the guided visits to the archeological ruins of Arrochela, the Circuito dos Menires or the Route of the Baroque, and even the exhibition on the Misericórdia of Silves – these are just some of the proposed activities by the Câmara de Silves, to mark the International Day of Monuments and Sites, between 18 and 23 April.
The program starts on the 18th, at 9:00 am, with the opening of the exhibition “The History of Silves in Comic Book” – by José Garcês, at the Castle of Silves Tower. This exhibition was open to the public at the Museum of Archeology and History of Silves and will now reach all visitors to the castle, which is the second most visited monument in the Algarve, after the fortress of sagres.
“Get to know us better, we are Silves” is the activity that will take place between 10:00 and 19:00 and that associates local businesses. The proposal is that, throughout the day, those who purchase the Museum/Castle joint entrance will have the right to a booklet of vauchers, which will allow them to access discounts on the services of the participating establishments. “This way, not only is heritage promoted, but visitors are encouraged to take advantage of local commerce”, stresses the Chamber of Silves.
Following the same logic and seeking that the city's restaurants can also enjoy a greater influx of public on this special day, the “Historical Menu for a day” initiative was born. In addition to the usual menu, the participating restaurants will create a menu inspired by historical recipes (proposed by the municipality), which will have a fixed and equal value, and in which the restaurants will not have to repeat the dishes. Restaurants will be signposted with a uniformed sign so that visitors can easily identify them.
The Municipal Museum of Archeology will also participate in the “From Puzzle to Object” initiative, which will take place between 10:00 and 12:00 and 14:00 and 16:00.
Aimed at children and young people and subject to prior appointment, this action will take participants to live the day-to-day work of archeological ceramics conservators-restorers, simulating the reconstruction of pieces, selecting fragments of ceramic objects.
A visit to the archaeological ruins of Arrochela (subject to prior booking), located in the heart of the historic center of Silves, will take place at 17 pm.
This visit will be guided and there will be the possibility to appreciate this space that, in 1994, during the laying of foundations in a land owned by the Misericórdia de Silves, uncovered silos, ceramic fragments from the Islamic and medieval Christian era, coins, and a corner of Manueline period door, in an area of approximately 570 square meters.
In the archaeological intervention that followed, under the responsibility of archaeologist Rosa Varela Gomes, several housing structures from the modern era were identified, which would constitute a block. It was observed that the two partially excavated dwellings were oriented differently, to the north and to the west, highlighting several compartments and the respective patios.
Under these structures, associated with archaeological materials from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, which define their period of survival, others from the Islamic period were identified, configuring at least one house from the Almohad period (XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries). Several silos were also observed, filled with materials that date back to the XNUMXth century, when the occupation of the site is confirmed.
From the 18th, this space will benefit from a small refurbishment and enhancement, with the placement of a fence that allows viewing the interior and an information panel.
The 18th of April will end at 21 pm, with a lecture by Vítor Neto, a specialist in the economic and sociological analysis of the tourism phenomenon, entitled “Historical Heritage and Sustainable Tourism”, which will take place at the Municipal Museum of Archaeology. This event will provide a debate around the issues of sustainability of our tourism resources.
On the 21st, the exhibition “A Misericórdia de Silves. Five Centuries of History and Memory”. The Church of Mercy will be the space where this exhibition will open at 18 pm and its social and cultural action within the community in which it operates and for which it has worked for over five centuries.
An accompanied visit to the Menhirs Circuit, guided by Leonor Rocha, a professor at the University of Évora and a specialist in Megalithism, a material culture where these objects of such controversial functional characterization are inserted, is the proposal for April 22, at 15:00 pm. Anyone wishing to participate must make an appointment in advance.
The program for the International Day of Monuments and Sites ends on April 23, with an accompanied visit to the religious heritage built or altered in the period when the Baroque style predominated in architecture and decoration, which will take place between 9:30 and 17:30.
“On the Baroque Route”, spaces in several parishes of the county are included, such as the Igreja Matriz, Igreja Matriz, Igreja Matriz, Igreja Matriz, Igreja Matriz, Igreja Matriz, CM Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church [C Church Church Church Church Church Church, Car Church Church, Carmo Church and the Church of Misericórdia Church of Alcantarilha, of S. Francisco] and Paroquial de Pêra Chapel of Santo António das Areias in Armação de Pera, Church Matriz and São Sebastião, in Algoz, and also the Matriz de São Bartolomeu de Messines.
Once again, prior booking is required to be able to participate in this guided tour.
This year's International Day of Monuments and Sites will focus on “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism”. This day was created by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on April 18, 1982 and approved by UNESCO the following year.
Its objective is to make citizens aware of the diversity and vulnerability of heritage, as well as the need for its protection and enhancement. Furthermore, and because it brings together many nations of the world, it celebrates international solidarity around knowledge, safeguarding and valuing heritage.
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