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Silves
Silves, once a city of glittering minaret and
bustling bazaars, was the Moorish capital of the Algarve. Its
imposing red sandstone castle
was the scene of horrific medieval battles between Islamic Moors
and Christians.
Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land played
an important role in the recon quest of the Algarve in the 13th
century. A few of those who fell in the battle are entombed
in the cathedral
next to the castle. Both the castle and cathedral are open to
visitors. Nearby is a small archaeological
museum. The tumultuous city of yesteryears is today
a quiet market town in the midst of the Algarve´s main
citrus-growing area. Cork is processed locally. The town hosts
two annual festivals, one celebrating oranges, the other beer.
On the third Monday of each month there is a particularly lively
open-air market.
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