2010 Jan – Visit to the castle at Paderne.

Our guide was Rui Parreira who began the visit by explaining the history behind this important Muslim castle (Hisn) which is situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the valley of the Quarteira River.
It was built in the 12th century as part of a line of castles constructed to protect the region we know as the Algarve. The castle occupies a good strategic point and dominates the valley and also one of the main entrances to the region. The castle’s elevation also allowed for good communication between other defensive positions such as Xelb (Silves).
Rui also explained that in the 14th century the castle was conquered by the Portuguese and it remained the main habitation site for 2/3 centuries until the population moved to the village of Paderne in the 16th century although the hermitage within the castle remained in use until the 19th century.
Rui also explained that in the 14th century the castle was conquered by the Portuguese and it remained the main habitation site for 2/3 centuries until the population moved to the village of Paderne in the 16th century although the hermitage within the castle remained in use until the 19th century.
The castle is built of Military Taipa – concrete made of earth and limestone formed into blocks and there was also evidence of limestone wash that was used on the walls to give the appearance from a distance that the castle had been built of stone. This method of construction was featured on information panels inside the castle. These boards also showed how the same technique was used during recent renovation work.
One typical feature of 12/13th century castle construction in Iberia and N. Africa is the military tower outside the walls which was originally linked by a small bridge/arch to the castle itself. At first it was believed that the castle had been used for defensive purposes only, with just a military, but excavations within the castle have proved otherwise. 
Although only one third of the interior has been excavated there is ample evidence of houses with connecting streets and drains that exited through the walls. It is believed there are more buildings within the walls.  We were shown one example, where, during the Portuguese occupation, a house was constructed over an earlier Islamic home and close by there was evidence of a rock cut grave.
Within the castle a large cisterna was built for water, but as yet no food storage pits have been found and it is suggested that the occupants were probably supported by the people in the surrounding area.
The extensive cemetery adjacent to the hermitage was in use for many years in the Christian period and Rui explained that when the population moved to Paderne some of the burials were moved to the new cemetery in the town.