Castle of Salir, Medieval castle in Salir, Portugal
Castle of Salir is a medieval fortress on elevated ground with an irregular oval shape and four defensive towers built from rammed earth. The ruins remain visible today and are complemented by an interpretative center displaying artifacts from excavations.
The fortress was built in the 12th century as part of the Almohad defensive network and served until King Sancho I of Portugal captured it in 1189. After this conquest, the site gradually lost importance and was eventually abandoned.
The fortress served as a living community with residential areas and storage spaces that reveal how people organized their daily routines. These structures show a structured settlement where families worked together to sustain themselves.
Start your visit at the interpretative center to learn about the site before exploring the ruins on the elevated terrain above. Wear sturdy shoes as the hillside location requires some walking on uneven ground.
A gravestone dated to 1016 discovered near the site shows that Islamic presence in this region extended back further than the fortress itself. This stone is now displayed at Faro Municipal Museum and tells a story spanning more than a millennium.
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