Salir

The origins of Salir appear to be lost in time but whilst it is supposed that it was once occupied by the Celts, from excavations of the Castle it was certainly inhabited by the Arabs. Evidence shows that it was constructed during the occupation by Almóada in the 12th Century. Salir is referred to in the “Portugaliae Monumenta Historica” when D. Paio Peres Correira waited the arrival of D. Alfonso III with whom he joined forces to conquer those parts of the province still occupied by the Arabs. It was during the rein of Alfonso III that the fortress at Salir was conferred the title Castle of “Selir” (Arab Assignment) in a special paper concerning the conquest of the Algarve. Despite subsequent fire and re-construction on two occasions, there only remains today the tower ramparts although one can walk the perimeter and enjoy the views of the countryside beyond. An approximate translation: There is a Castle in Salir, they say it is more beautiful. The same after its fall, it is still a Castle. In 1991 Salir started to prepare itself for a rise in status to that of “a village”, which it achieved on the 20th May 1993 with a population of about 5,000. There are two churches, the igreja matriz (Main/Mother Church) and Nossa Sra. Do Pé da Cruz (Our Lady At The Foot Of The Cross Salir is the centre of an agricultural community that produces almonds, carob beans, olives, cork oak and wheat but still provides the necessities to the multi-cultural inhabitants of the surrounding land. There are banks, insurance agencies, chemist, post office, schools and a number of restaurants together with the necessary butchers and bread shops. The local sports centre has amongst other things tennis, swimming and athletics. .

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