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| Silves is a quiet agricultural town with a population of about 12,000, located on the River Arade in the central-southern Algarve. However, 900 years ago, Silves had a population of nearly 30,000! A look at a unique exhibition of architectural illustrations of 12th/13th century Silves under Islam. |
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| Of far greater consequence than Lisbon, and “ten times richer” (according to historical sources), it was one of the largest and most prized cities in Europe. Amongst its many treasures, Silves boasted several mosques, a synagogue, at least one Christian church, several public baths, docks, a shipyard, a sophisticated public water supply and a sumptuous palace. A centre of poetry and learning, the city was renowned throughout the Arab world as a fulcrum of cultural excellence producing writers, scientists and philosophers of international acclaim. |
| Silves Castle has seen the launch, in the last few weeks, of what is surely one of the most fascinating cultural events to reach the Algarve in recent times. “Gateway To The Past” is an exhibition comprising the architectural reconstruction of Islamic Silves at its zenith through the medium of colour, scale-drawings, by Portuguese architect and artist Victor Borges. Some elevations being over 60ft in length, these are the largest hand-drawings in Portugal and some of the largest in Europe and represent a revival of the 19th century Ecole des Beaux-Arts tradition of architectural reconstruction and illustration. |
| In this exhibition, Borges has brought together the first fruits of six years of painstaking research involving an exhaustive examination of evidence in the form of documents; old photographs; engravings; lithographs; and the careful scrutiny of previously un-studied archaeological remains. Hard evidence combined with techniques of comparative analysis has enabled Borges to assemble an impressive and convincing reconstruction of the layout of the city enabling us, for the first time, a glimpse of this magnificent 12th century capital of Islamic Algarve. |
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Algarve Guide
