Before the Algarve was the Algarve as we know it, a few things happened…

The Phoenicians (originally from the area that is now Lebanon) arrived in the Algarve about 3000 years ago and established trading posts there, then following the Cathars, they called themselves pure Christians  (300 BC) they then became  chased away by the Romans and  formed 27 BC. Hispania Luisitana, a Roman, Imperial Province. Named after the main tribe: the Lusitani.

 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Roman Lusitania included Portugal south of the Douro, as well as Spanish Extremadura and parts of Castile. It was initially ruled from Felicitas Lulia  Olisippo (Lisbon), several towns and settlements were founded, including:  Beasuris Esuri (Castro Marim) located on the river  Anas Flumen (Rio Guadiana)  Ossonoba (Faro) Balsa (Luz de Tavira). This province remained part of the Roman Empire for about 500 years.     

 

After that the Visigoths ruled; around 700 AD. This empire was at its largest and eventually the Byzantines (the Moors), with its capital Constantinople) took over the province of Spania.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​​​​​

​

During this time many place names arose with the syllable “AL” such as Albufeira, Aljezur eb Alcoutim. The Moors called this region Al-Garb Al-Andalus (western Muslim Iberia,   Andalusia) which was later renamed Algarve.

​

Faro was immediately granted city rights and in the 15th century it developed rapidly. Unfortunately, during the Spanish rule, Faro was looted and burned in 1596, after the reconstruction 2 earthquakes completely destroyed Faro again (1722 and 1755) but thanks to Bishop Fransisco Gomez the reconstruction started again and in 1756 Faro became the capital of the Algarve.

 

In the north Algarve is bordered by the province  Alentejo , on the east side by the Rio  Guadiana , a border river with  Spain  and on the south and west sides by the  Atlantic Ocean , the Algarve comes under the district of Faro

Traditionally, Faro lived from salt production, fishing (sardines and tuna) and cork and marble processing. Now tourism is the main activity.

​

LEGEND

​

Almond trees of the Algarve

According to a legend, a Moorish emir was married to a Scandinavian princess, but she got homesick for the snow from the far north. To make his wife smile again, the emir had a huge orchard of almond trees planted on his domain. One January morning, the princess was surprised and delighted to see the landscape snowed under with thousands of radiant white almond blossoms.

​

Milreu

Best Preserved Archaeological Site (Faro – Estoi) 4th Century

Here you can see, among other things, a country house (villa rustica), built in the 2nd century AD  by a wealthy Roman, a large comfortable house with lots of marble, gilded mosaics and a skilful water supply system. Two mausoleums and several busts of the Roman royal family have since been excavated. There is still plenty to be discovered, but the now uncovered temple, the living quarters, farm with wine press and wine cellar are beautiful.   and the baths. The storage areas are large and the agricultural goods were transported via Ossonaba (Faro)  transported to the Roman Empire.

​

Gardens of Palacio de  Estoi 16th century

1 km from Milreu, the romantic appearance of this complex is reminiscent of an Italian palazzo. A palm-lined avenue leads to citrus-lined gardens that terrace up to the Baroque facade of a small 18th-century palace. The terraces are decorated with water features, statues and vases of marble and terra cotta, and tile tableau with mythological themes or fables and fragments of Roman mosaics from Milreu.

​

​