Hinterland Felsenalgarve
Silves: Rio Arade
The Arade River connects Silves with the seaport of Portimão. It used to be an important trade route before the lower course of the river silted up. Nowadays the old bridge (“Ponte Velha”) is only used by pedestrians.
Silves: View
View towards Silves, on the banks of the Arade river. The Moorish castle, which was the cultural centre of the region, overlooks the old town.
Castle of Silves: D. Sancho I
This giant statue of a knight guards the doorway to the Moorish castle of Silves. It depicts D. Sancho I, who reconquered Silves from the Moors for the first time in 1189.
Silves: Castle
Aerial view to the castle of Silves, an impressive monument of the Moorish period and its great cultural heritage.
Silves: Episcopal Cathedral
The Catedral Sé de Silves was erected in the 13th century after Silves had been reconquered from the Moors, most likely in the place of a former mosque. It is different from most other historic buildings in the Algarve as it partially survived the earth quake of 1755.
Fortaleza de Santa Catarina
View from the fortress across the river Arade towads the hills of the Serra de Monchique.
Monchique
View from the Picota, the second largest elevation in the Algarve, to the village and the hills of the Serra de Monchique.
Monchique: Parish church
Monchique’s parish church, erected during the 15th /16th. centuries, was rebuilt following the destruction of the earthquake of 1755. The main portal, decorated with knotted ropes, is a prime example of the original late Gothic style ("Manueline").
Serra de Monchique: Foia
Fóia (902 m) is the highest elevation not only in the Serra de Monchique, but also in the whole of southern Portugal. The Serra’s mighty hills are visible from afar. The scarce vegetation of the peak plateau consists mainly of shrubs and various wild herbs. Upon arrival at the peak, you are amply rewarded with stunning views both to the Ocean and inland to the Alentejo.
Lagoa: Convento de São José
Courtyard of the former convent founded by members of the Carmelite order of nuns in the beginning of the 18th. Century. It is currently the city’s cultural centre and hosts exhibitions of painting, photography, sculpture and pottery, as well as various shows and discussions in its auditorium.