Silves Medieval Fair

Silves Medieval Fair 2024, 9-17 August

The Silves Medieval Fair, one of Portugal’s most dynamic and renowned Medieval Fairs returns this summer. The event of all ages, takes place in the streets of the historic city center, in and around the Castle of Silves, from 9 to 17 August.



Visitors take part in recreations of activities as they may have happened centuries ago when Silves was the capital of the Kingdom of the Algarve. Moorish and Christian traditions are on display throughout the grounds of the castle. Families experience veiled dancers, snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, and noblemen and ladies parading in their finest costumes. Regional foods are available a number of food and beverage concessions.

silves medieval fair,

For 2023, the theme is “The Mosque: Symbol, and Power.” It refers to the time in history when Silves (Xilb) was the capital of the Moorish occupation. The construction and consecration of the mosque as a place of worship and symbolic expression for the new religion of Islam, that would become a major political and cultural center of Gharb al-Andalus.

As always, with a procession of participants dressed in full medieval costumes from the fair entrance gate into the grounds, where an announcement by the Iman welcomes all who visit. A call to prayer echos from the tall minaret by the Al-Muezzin.

During the fair, there are two daily tournaments of games, a nightly show of music, dance and fire in the castle and roaming entertainment. Berber camp with merchants, blacksmiths, carpenters and potters working their trades.  Over a hundred exhibitors, artisans mystics, bakers, cooks, minstrels in all. 

The Silves Medieval Fair begins every night at 18:00. The nightly schedule includes:

18:00 – Festival Opens | Procession in the streets and squares
18:30 – Welcome by the Madinat Xilb Vizier | City gates
20:00 – Muslim & Christian War Games | Praça Al-Mu’thamid
22:30 – Entertainment in the Castle: Music, Dance & Fire | Silves Castle
22:30 – Muslim & Christian War Games | Praça Al-Mu’thamid

Tickets will be on sale at BOL and at FNAC, Worten, CTT and EI Corte Inglês

silves medieval fair,

For more information, visit the Silves Medieval Fair Facebook Page.

Castelo de Silves
Rua do Castelo
Silves
Western Algarve

Hours: 18:00 to 01:00

Daily Ticket – €2.00
War Games – €5.00
Castle Show – €5.00
Daily Ticket + Games Show – €6.00
Costume Rental: €3.00 for Adults, €2.00 for kids

Parking: Best to find spot on the edge of town and walk into the village, as streets will be closed to traffic.

Photos courtesy of Câmara Municipal de Silves




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