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Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Silves

Museum built around a 12th–13th-century Almohad well-cistern, with one of the country's largest collections of Islamic archaeology.

Opening hoursAdmission €2.10 Partially accessible

Website Directions

About the museum

The Silves Municipal Museum of Archaeology opened in 1990 and was built around the Almohad well-cistern of the 12th–13th centuries, which was uncovered during archaeological excavations in the 1980s and is now classified as a National Monument. The well-cistern, about 18 m deep, is the centrepiece of the collection. The museum also incorporates a stretch of the city wall from the same period. The building was designed by the architect and archaeologist Mário Varela Gomes.

The collection comes mainly from excavations in the city and the municipality. In eight thematic sections arranged chronologically, it covers the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Roman period. The pieces from the medieval Muslim period, from the 8th to the 13th century and mostly Almohad, stand out and make this one of the country's largest collections on the Islamic period. There are also objects from the 15th to 17th centuries that show the city's trade links.

Since 2005 the museum has been a partner of the organisation Museum With No Frontiers (Discover Islamic Art section), it has been a member of the Algarve Museum Network since March 2008, and it has been part of the Portuguese Museum Network since 2022.

Highlights

Almohad well-cistern of the 12th–13th centuries, National Monument
Section of the city's Islamic wall
One of the country's largest collections of Islamic archaeology
Chronological route from the Palaeolithic to the 17th century
Combined ticket with Silves Castle

Permanent exhibition

Do Paleolítico ao século XVII – Collection in eight thematic sections, arranged chronologically, with emphasis on the Islamic period and the Almohad well-cistern.

Founded: 1990
Operated by: Município de Silves

Admission & discounts

Adults	€2.10
Reduced	€1.05Children, students, Cartão Jovem holders and people over 65 (50% discount)
Children & teens	€1.05Children receive a 50% discount.
Seniors	€1.05People over 65.
Students & apprentices	€1.05Students and Cartão Jovem holders.
Groups (21+ people)	€1.60 per personGroups of more than 20 people.
Combined ticket Silves Castle + Municipal Museum of Archaeology	€3.90