Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

The town of Silves, the oldest metropolis in the Algarve and one time capital of the region, reclines on the banks of the Rio Arade. The hilltop fortified citadel and cathedral were a focal point for trade in the region. According to local history, settlements have existed on the site since the Iron Age and for several centuries at the beginning of the Common Era, it was an Arabic stronghold. In fact, the cathedral was constructed on the site of a mosque. The tidal river gave access to the Atlantic Ocean near Portimao. After spending Monday morning in nearby Alte, we headed off to Silves, arriving in time for lunch followed by a rambling tour of the oldest part of the city, the walled town and fort. With the river close by, there were plenty of birds including storks, lots of storks, clacking their beaks and checking out potential nesting sites.

Storks ere everywhere in Silves.

We walked through the central area of modern Lives.

This installation appeared to celebrate the Arabic histtory of the town with a dash of temporary Christmas decorations.

A nesting stork high up on the wall of the old town.

Entrance to the old town.

Walking up hill to the cathedral.

Christmas deco in the cathedral.

Side altar.

View of the main altar.

Side altar.

Side altar detail.

Sarcophagus.

Not sure what this and it was next to…

this image.

Transept and nave.

Baptistry.

Narrow arrow slit window.

Tower pedestal

Nativity scene.

Top of an archway.

Windows behind the main altar.

Base of a column. No flying buttresses in this building. The weight of the structure rests here.

Chancel ceiling.

There was no evidence of a pipe organ. Only this .

Main door of the cathedral

The walls of the fort in the distance.

View from the walled city.

Orange groves.

Find Randy…

Explanation of fortress.

Arrow slit view.

Outside the walls of the fort.

Safely inside.

Artist’s conception of what it might have looked like.

Artefacts from dig.

And more.

Now that’s a large amphora..

More archeological treasures.

Outside the walls.

Formal garden.

Formal garden, again.

A view of the Rio Agrade.

Central square.

Oriental influence.

Cathedral tower.

A study in colour and design.

How to decorate a medieval wall in the 21st century.

A view from below.

Blossoms in December!

Looking back from whence we came.

Artists were commissioned to decorate the utility boxes around town.

A burst of floral colour…

captured in ceramic tile.

The Roman bridge.

A blend of centuries and cultures.

A view from across the river.