Silves always puts on the best and most elaborate festival of medieval times in the Algarve. Thousands of people will be arriving to watch and participate in the celebrating, the jousting and the feasting. Ten whole days to eat, drink and be merry as a king, a maid, a serf or even a medieval criminal. Now that really is something to put in the family photo album.
The fun
Medieval Mania takes hold from 2nd to 11th August when belly dancers, jugglers, snake charmers and acrobats strut their stuff. Twice a day there will be horseback tournaments to entertain the crowds. Fantastic, colourful costumes are worn and visitors are encouraged to dress up and get in on the act. From 6pm to 1am Moorish and Christian traditions will be on theatrical display in the grounds of the castle, which was once the Citadel of the Moors, and throughout the old town. Due to popular demand the fair will stay open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Exploring Silves & the Castle
Visiting the festival will transport you back in time as you stroll through the narrow streets lined with hundreds of stalls, manned by costumed vendors, selling their wares, and filled with entertainers and performers at every turn. Clamber through the ruins of the once proud Moorish Citadel that was later turned into a Christian Castle. A central part of the festival, the castle plays host to theatrical shows and re-enactments.
Find out more about this legendary castle on Meravista’s featured listing, and as advertised in the Portugal News and the Algarve Resident.
The drama
Re-enacting the period that Christian King Sancho I was in charge, from 1189 to 1191, until the Moors regained their foothold of the region. The Fair will recreate life as it was then in this special feature with talented actors and authentic costumes. Day by day the drama unfolds of that perilous time when the Crusaders liberated the city, only to lose it again two years later. Here is the programme of the drama:
► August 2 The city has just been taken by King Sancho I with the help of the Crusaders from the North. Mendo Gonçalves de Sousa becomes governor and D. Nicholas becomes Bishop of Silves.
► August 3 The city walls are restored. Bishop Nicholas baptises converts and grants favours to the knights and soldiers.
► August 4 Chief of the Moors, Iacube Almansor, orders his brother, Vali of Cordoba and chief military commander in the peninsula, to send troops to fight to regain Silves.
► August 5 Mahomede Ibne Iuçufe comes to Silves and surrounds the city.
► August 6 The assault begins with the catapults. The city, under the command of the new governor Rodrigo Sanches, is strong, and the Moors retreat.
► August 7 Almansor advances to Silves, now isolated from Portuguese bases.
► August 8 In Silves, Rodrigo Sanches defends the city, but Iacube intensifies the siege, supported by Ibne Uazir. The assaults on the city continue.
► August 9 The Berbers succeed in taking part of the castle. Rodrigo Sanches is isolated in the old citadel and the assault redoubles in intensity.
► August 10 Governor Rodrigo Sanches asks for time to get orders of surrender, orders from King Sancho I are delayed and the siege continues.
► August 11 The capitulation is negotiated. Christian soldiers depart and the Moors take over. We are again under Muslim rule.
The feasting
Watched over by the brooding walls of the Castle, you can partake of the local food and drinks: roasting pig seems to be a firm favourite. The Medieval Banquet, held within the walls of the ancient castle, includes Arab delicacies as cous cous, tagine and harira. Enjoy the belly dancing by the local beauties and the antics of the jesters while you sit back and feast.
Get your own English copy of the guide with all the information about the fair events including a map, details about the shows and even about renting costumes!
This fair is designed to entertain the whole family, young and old: everyone is welcome and everyone is royally entertained as well as educated in the history of this magical city. If you buy in advance it’s just €3 for the entire festival, or €4 at the gate. Day tickets are €2. Check the guide for more information.
Or why not go the whole hog and get the ‘Medieval Experience’ tickets for €60 which includes a personal guide, welcome drink, costume, Medieval Banquet, queue-less entry and privileged seating at shows and jousting tournaments and a free Festival souvenir.
Don’t miss this extravaganza!
Gather a group of friends, your whole family, and whoever else you can think of: take some time out and have all the fun of the fair together. (Don’t forget your camera). Please do come back and tell us all about it!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Silves Medieval Mania
by Sun’s Dragon
Silves always puts on the best and most elaborate festival of medieval times in the Algarve. Thousands of people will be arriving to watch and participate in the celebrating, the jousting and the feasting. Ten whole days to eat, drink and be merry as a king, a maid, a serf or even a medieval criminal. Now that really is something to put in the family photo album.
Medieval Mania takes hold from 2nd to 11th August when belly dancers, jugglers, snake charmers and acrobats strut their stuff. Twice a day there will be horseback tournaments to entertain the crowds. Fantastic, colourful costumes are worn and visitors are encouraged to dress up and get in on the act. From 6pm to 1am Moorish and Christian traditions will be on theatrical display in the grounds of the castle, which was once the Citadel of the Moors, and throughout the old town. Due to popular demand the fair will stay open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Exploring Silves & the Castle
Visiting the festival will transport you back in time as you stroll through the narrow streets lined with hundreds of stalls, manned by costumed vendors, selling their wares, and filled with entertainers and performers at every turn. Clamber through the ruins of the once proud Moorish Citadel that was later turned into a Christian Castle. A central part of the festival, the castle plays host to theatrical shows and re-enactments.
Find out more about this legendary castle on Meravista’s featured listing, and as advertised in the Portugal News and the Algarve Resident.
The drama
Re-enacting the period that Christian King Sancho I was in charge, from 1189 to 1191, until the Moors regained their foothold of the region. The Fair will recreate life as it was then in this special feature with talented actors and authentic costumes. Day by day the drama unfolds of that perilous time when the Crusaders liberated the city, only to lose it again two years later. Here is the programme of the drama:
► August 2 The city has just been taken by King Sancho I with the help of the Crusaders from the North. Mendo Gonçalves de Sousa becomes governor and D. Nicholas becomes Bishop of Silves.
► August 3 The city walls are restored. Bishop Nicholas baptises converts and grants favours to the knights and soldiers.
► August 4 Chief of the Moors, Iacube Almansor, orders his brother, Vali of Cordoba and chief military commander in the peninsula, to send troops to fight to regain Silves.
► August 5 Mahomede Ibne Iuçufe comes to Silves and surrounds the city.
► August 6 The assault begins with the catapults. The city, under the command of the new governor Rodrigo Sanches, is strong, and the Moors retreat.
► August 7 Almansor advances to Silves, now isolated from Portuguese bases.
► August 8 In Silves, Rodrigo Sanches defends the city, but Iacube intensifies the siege, supported by Ibne Uazir. The assaults on the city continue.
► August 9 The Berbers succeed in taking part of the castle. Rodrigo Sanches is isolated in the old citadel and the assault redoubles in intensity.
► August 10 Governor Rodrigo Sanches asks for time to get orders of surrender, orders from King Sancho I are delayed and the siege continues.
► August 11 The capitulation is negotiated. Christian soldiers depart and the Moors take over. We are again under Muslim rule.
Watched over by the brooding walls of the Castle, you can partake of the local food and drinks: roasting pig seems to be a firm favourite. The Medieval Banquet, held within the walls of the ancient castle, includes Arab delicacies as cous cous, tagine and harira. Enjoy the belly dancing by the local beauties and the antics of the jesters while you sit back and feast.
Get your own English copy of the guide with all the information about the fair events including a map, details about the shows and even about renting costumes!
Click here for a copy of the guide in Portuguese
This fair is designed to entertain the whole family, young and old: everyone is welcome and everyone is royally entertained as well as educated in the history of this magical city. If you buy in advance it’s just €3 for the entire festival, or €4 at the gate. Day tickets are €2. Check the guide for more information.
Or why not go the whole hog and get the ‘Medieval Experience’ tickets for €60 which includes a personal guide, welcome drink, costume, Medieval Banquet, queue-less entry and privileged seating at shows and jousting tournaments and a free Festival souvenir.
Don’t miss this extravaganza!
Gather a group of friends, your whole family, and whoever else you can think of: take some time out and have all the fun of the fair together. (Don’t forget your camera). Please do come back and tell us all about it!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.