The mother and I decided to take a half day trip to the town of Silves and then onward to the highest point of the Algarve – mount Foia.
The most prominent monument in Silves is Castelo de Silves, which is now the best preserved castle in the Algarve.
The castle and the Cathedral beside it are the first buildings you see as you approach Silves, as they sit on the hilltop above the town.
Sé de Silves (Cathedral of Silves) is one of the Algarve’s few remaining gothic monuments with ancient tombs.
It sits alongside the castle and a network of narrow, cobbled streets weaves away from it, taking you down into the town.
Inside the cathedral are the usual gilded delights and religious icons, while outside colourful walls and flowers add vivid spots in a grey day.
Silves sits on the banks of the Arade River (“Rio Arade”). There is history everywhere you look in Silves, reminding you of its affluent past as a Moorish capital (“Xelb”).
Below the cathedral, whitewashed streets meander back towards the main town.
From pretty planters to art work adorning the walls, there is something everywhere to catch the eye.
Naturally I had to take a few (hundred) snaps of some of the details that I spotted along the way.
As it is springtime the town is full of blossom and none is more gorgeous than the vivid purple of the Jacaranda tree.
Here’s mum in the pretty central square, Praça do Municipio, full of palms and flowers.
After a trot around Silves we head to the highest point in the Algarve – Mount Foia. It has an elevation of 902 metres (2,959 ft)
Fóia is the highest mountain of the Algarve and is part of the Serra de Monchique range. It usually offers stunning views of the surrounding area . . . usually.
Ha! It was like visiting North Wales in the middle of a wet winter day . . . howling winds, creeping fog and drizzle . . . oh well, can’t win them all!!!