Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians

Algarve
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

The name Algarve is a reminder of the area’s Arabic past; Al-Gharb is literally ‘the west’. The Algarve maybe be an attractive destination for holiday makers in search of sandy beaches, but it is also perfect for cultural travellers in search of history. Like most parts of Europe, the Algarve has been inhabited since the Stone Age – and the landscape is dotted with menhirs and cromlechs. The Romans established themselves here as they did with the rest of the Iberian Peninsular. Following the fall of the Roman Empire the Iberian Peninsular was ruled by the Visigoths, mostly unchallenged in the Peninsular until the Umayyad conquest of Hispania (711 to 788 AD). Between 552 and 571 the Algarve was under the control of the Byzantine Empire. In 716 the Moors conquered what is today Lagos – a settlement that had long been known for its natural harbour. Because of this harbour Lagos had an important role during the 15th century and the Portuguese Age of Discovery, along with other economically important centres along the southern coast. Walled cities, fortifications and castles are the legacy of a complex and fascinating past.

Archaeology & History Sites in Algarve

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Museums & Art Galleries in Algarve

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