Alferce

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Alferce is a comune ( Freguesia ) at the Portuguese circuit ( concelho ) of Monchique. 441 inhabitants live in it (as at 30 June 2011).

Geography and transport

Alferce is located in the mountains of the Serra de Monchique. About the National Road N267 the place with the 8 km west lying county town of Monchique is connected.

History and Sights

Here was a settlement of the Bronze Age, which was repopulated in the 5th century. From 711 the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula. They laid in the 10th century a fortress, as part of the defense system of Silves. The current village name probably goes back to this time, the Arabic word al - Faris for " tab". The excavations of the fortifications can be visited.

During the Reconquista in 1249, the last areas of the Algarve came to the Kingdom of Portugal, and therefore Alferce. It remained a municipality of the district of Silves, Monchique the county until 1773 as a spin- out of the circle Silves was born. Since then Alferce belongs to the district Monchique.

The parish church Igreja de Paroquial Alferce, after their patron saint ( the hl.Roman of Antioch ) and Igreja de São Romão is a listed building. In addition, are to be seen in the community a variety of water - and windmills.