Salir Castle (ruins)

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Faro > Loulé > Salir > Monte do Poço

Location

Located in the tranquil village of Salir, in the municipality of Loulé, Salir Castle stands atop a limestone elevation, approximately 256 meters high, in the Monte do Poço area. Its position is strategic, dominating the surrounding landscape and marking the transition between the Algarve barrocal region and the Serra do Caldeirão. From there, a vast area can be observed, revealing the importance this site had in controlling access between the coast and the interior.

History and Purpose

The ruins of Salir Castle tell the story of a Muslim fortification erected in the 12th century, during the Almohad period, with the purpose of protecting the local population and controlling a crucial passage. It was a rural defense, a refuge for inhabitants in times of threat. In the mid-13th century, the castle was the scene of the Christian reconquest and, after a devastating fire, was rebuilt. Over time, as military importance shifted to the coast, the castle was progressively abandoned, and many of its stones were reused in new constructions in the village, which explains its current state of ruin.

Remains and Architectural Characterization

Although much of the original structure has disappeared, it is still possible to observe remnants of Salir Castle's imposing presence. Portions of its walls remain, about two meters thick, and four quadrangular towers, some of them integrated into more recent buildings of the settlement. The construction, made essentially of rammed earth on limestone foundations, is an example of Almohad defensive architecture. Archaeological excavations at the site have also revealed the probable location of the old access gate, facing south.

Archaeological Discoveries

Archaeological research carried out in recent decades has unveiled important aspects of daily life within the walls of Salir Castle. Remains of a small urban nucleus with an organized layout were discovered, including quadrangular-plan dwellings arranged around a central courtyard, indications of kitchens, and ancient plumbing systems. The simplicity and dimensions of these houses, also built with rammed earth, offer a window into the daily lives of their medieval inhabitants. Among the findings, various ceramic and metal objects stand out, as well as seeds that reveal the dietary habits of the time, allowing for greater knowledge about the site's past.

The Legend of the Moura

Salir Castle is also the setting for an ancient legend, that of the Enchanted Moura, which is believed to have given the locality its very name. It is said that, at the time of the Christian reconquest, the Moorish alcaide of Castalar ordered a retreat, but his daughter refused to abandon the castle, preferring to stay there, to 'salir'. Upon seeing her captive, the father, in a gesture of despair, cast a Solomon's spell on her, transforming her into a stone statue. Although the stone castellana has disappeared over time, popular belief keeps alive the idea that the enchanted moura still appears in the castle ruins on certain nights, reinforcing the mysticism of this historic site.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt