Influences from other worlds

For centuries, barbarians and Romans lived in the Algarve, but it is the Arab presence that has had the greatest influence on the region with 500 years of occupation – from the 8^th Century to the 13^th Century –, leaving a legacy in the culture, place names, architecture, economy and society of the region.

Of the Moslem presence in Al Garb, which in Arabic means “the West”, only the vestiges of the religion were lost in favour of Christianity.  Mosques were converted to churches with only three surviving modest mosques in Alvor.

The Moorish presence in the south of the country left other evidence, notably in the names of towns, architectural features of homes, such as roof terraces, cubic buildings, decorations on whitewashed walls and chimneys decorated in lace work motifs. 

With regard to this legacy, archaeologists have managed to gather materials which allow us to have a glimpse of daily life in the Moorish communities of the Algarve.  This can be seen in several museums across the region.

Water irrigation devices, agricultural techniques, the art of fishing handed down from generation to generation, legends of bewitched Moorish maidens which the old people liked to retell, these are other signs of the Arab presence in these parts, which can still be seen today.