Algarve History

So why is the Algarve such a wonderfully interesting beach vacation area? Algarve history and the culture that developed from it; that's why. Read on for my cut-down version of all you need to know about the region and how it became what it is today...

Or, if you want to skip the Algarve history bit (even though it's a gripping read) and instead learn a thing or two about Algarve culture, you can. But, just so you're in no doubt...
 

..I'll be disappointed if you don't come right back here afterward.   

 

Algarve History - from the beginning

During the time over which we can trace the Algarve's story, there's been a fair turnover in the different peoples who have settled the region...

• North African Bronze Age people arrived about 2000 BC and settled around Lagoa, Lagos and Tavira (although I'm guessing they had different place names back then).

• Then, well before the Christian era (1000-500 BC), southern Portugal was settled by Phoenicians, who established trading posts throughout the region. (Possibly an early form of franchising, but I can't find any historians who want to confirm that).

• For part of that time (700-500 BC) some of the settlers were of Celtic origin, bringing with them Iron Age technology (which apparently was rocket science compared to the previous Bronze Age stuff!)

• They were followed by Carthaginians (the ancestors of modern Tunisians) who founded Portimão, and settled the surrounding areas until the Romans whupped them in the 2nd Punic War (202 BC).

• Algarve history was fixed for centuries after that victory. By 140 BC, Roman control extended to envelop Lusitania, which conforms roughly to the whole of modern Portugal. (Those Romans really knew how to colonise a place).

• But, in the early 5th century AD, barbarian tribes marauded through Portugal and the Algarve. The Visigoths had established a kingdom by 470 AD.

• The year 714 AD saw the final expulsion of the Visigoths from Portugal by the Arabic Moors, who made Silves their capital city. (My own theory is that the Moors were sick of deserts, and thought that such a wonderful spot for beach vacations was wasted on a bunch of Visigoths - but I may be wrong.)

• Whatever the truth, this introduced the period when Portugal assumed much greater importance in world history...

• The Algarve became a major transit area for the north of Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. The Moors' contact with European peoples led to the replacement, by the Arabic numeral system, of the (let's be honest) unwieldy Roman system. (Now there's a slant for a new TV series, instead of 'What Did The Romans Ever Do For Us?')

• Of course, the Moorish influence extended to more than just a nifty numeral system. As you explore the Algarve, you'll see things - in particular architecture - that owe much to Moorish traditions. There are mosques, castles and medinas seemingly wherever you look. But you will also find traces of their customs in the culture of the area.

• Even the name 'Algarve' is supposed to be a left-over from the Moorish occupation, deriving from their name for 'the western land', Al-Gharb.
   

After the Moors' final expulsion in 1250 AD, Portugal was occupied twice more:

• From 1580 to 1640, it was under Spain's rule (hence the 'prickly' attitude of some Portuguese folk toward things Espanhol).

• And in 1807, Napoleon's invasion forced the Portuguese royal family to flee to Brazil, from where they returned only after the tiny Corsican had departed the world stage...

...So you can see that people have been taking their European beach vacations in Algarve for millennia. And most of them liked the place so much, they wanted to stay there for good - just like me!

And that 'potted' Algarve history brings us nearly up to date.

Of course, much has changed during the last 30+ years of democratic government, but you can still see tell-tale traces of Algarve history as you explore the region during your Algarve holiday.

If you've never been to Algarve, you might also like to check out my tips on Algarve Tourism, before you visit this fantastic holiday spot. I hope the information on that page helps you to enjoy your stay even more...

One thing that hasn't changed is the wonderful warmth of the Algarvean people. They really are a friendly and welcoming lot. You can read about why that is, and find out all about their festivals and celebrations on my Algarve Culture page, if you haven't done so already.
 

...And that's your (very) brief introduction to Algarve history. I can truthfully say, though, that I still learn more each time I take another Algarve beach vacation.
 

And you can find out more for yourself when you're next in Algarve. Just visit one of the many archaeological displays that are on offer (such as the one in Silves - shown in the picture here).
 

To keep up to date with what I discover, and much else, just subscribe to my free newsletter, Algarve Beach Life News. Either click on the link below ("For Lovers of Algarve Beach Life") or on the button at top left ("Subscribe to ABLN") -- I'll keep you updated, every month, about the new information I have added about Algarve history and culture - and much else.
 

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