Quinta da Mesquita

The Municipality of Silves Conquered for the first time in 1189 by Christian Portuguese troops under the command of King Sancho I, with the help of the Crusaders, it fell again into the hands of the Moors in 1191 and was definitively conquered for Portugal only in the middle of the 13th Century. It immediately became the capital of the entire Algarve as well as its Episcopal and military headquarters. In the 15th Century, it actively participated in the maritime adventures of the Portuguese Discoveries. Places to visit www.cm-silves.pt/ Monuments: Almedina; Arco da Rebola; Edifício das Casas Grandes em Silves; Castelo; Cruz de Portugal; Ermida dos Mártires; Ermida de São Pedro; Igreja da Misericórdia; Palacete dos Viscondes de Lagoa/Palacete Aurora Grade; Pelourinho de Silves; Poço Cisterna Árabe de Silves; Ponte Velha de Silves Museu de Arqueologia Poço Cisterna Árabe de Silves Sé de Silves	The Municipality of Silves

The Origins of Algoz Located 14 km from the municipal seat, everything suggests that the origin of the name comes from the Arab word "Al-Gûzz", a name stemming from the Asiatic warrior tribe that settled here in the 12th Century. The town has held a population from as far back as the pre-historic era, as can be proved by several finds (Amoreira, Penedo Gordo). Mineral riches, shelters/grottoes and natural lakes were excellent attractions in past times. www.cm-silves.pt/ - Concelho Freguesias Algoz.	The Origins of Algoz

Parish of Pêra This small village, located around 12 Km from the municipal seat, has a population of about 2000. It was originally called "Pêra de Cima" (Upper Pêra) to distinguish it from Armação de Pêra, which was formerly called "Pêra de Baixo" (Lower Pêra). It was populated by fishermen who cast their fishing nets ("armação) on the nearby coast.	Parish of Pêra

Praia de Armação de Pêra. Once a part of neighbouring Pêra, Armação took its name from the fishing gear that the men of this land used and from which they lived. In order to protect the riches of its coveted fishing industry as well as its agriculture, the walls of Alcantarilha and the fort of Santo António, as well as many other such structures were built, as can be seen around this coast. These were times of pirates, robbery and rape, with alarms ringing out for attacks, death and those lost at sea.	Praia de Armação de Pêra

Sr. da Rocha. The Praia da Senhora da Rocha is a beach that is found in Porches, the area with the highest fishermen tradition. It is a semi-urban beach that has a good number of services, it is well equipped and has beach chairs and a beach bar. The beach of Senhora da Rocha is one of medium-high occupancy with golden sands and is heavily frequented as a refuge for fishermen. It is conjoined to Praia Nova by a tunnel, and it is the perfect spot for very windy days at it is protected.	Praia da Senhora da Rocha

Municipality of neighbouring AlbufeiraConcelho The name Albufeira derives from the Arab word "Al-buhera", which means "castle of the sea", which probably comes from its proximity to the ocean and/or the lake which was formed at the lower end of the area. The Arabs built strong defensive fortifications, making it nearly invincible, so that Albufeira was one of the fortified towns that they maintained in their power for the longest time. www.cm-albufeira.pt/	Municipality of neighbouring Albufeira

	Praia dos Salgados Photos Praia da Galé