, rebuilt in 1771 , a Moorish castle constructed in the period before the Portuguese Reconquista It is unclear when the first settlements specifically formed in the region of Albufeira, although scientific research suggests origins during the pre-historic epoch, and that the town of Albufeira formed as an out-port of the maritime fishery. The primitive settlement was occupied by the
Romans, who named it
Baltum, introducing a centralized administrative structure and developing intense agricultural activities along with commerce. The Romans constructed aqueducts, roads and bridges, of which parts still remain. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was ruled by Germanic peoples like the
Visigoths. In the early 8th century, it was conquered by invading Muslims from northern Africa. The modern name originated from the Arabic word
al-Buħayra (البحيرة), for
the lagoon, in reference to the lagoon that formed in the lowlands. The
Moors constructed strong defensive structures, making the area almost impregnable, allowing this area to remain in the hands of their forces longer than other possessions in Portugal. The development of agriculture during this period was notable, with the introduction of new techniques and plant species. The Moors used the plow and fertilizers, as well as winches for lifting the water from the wells, introducing the irrigation of fields, constructing dams and transforming uncultivated areas into gardens and orchards.
Middle Ages The
Christian conquest of the region began at the end of the 12th century. When
Afonso III of Portugal occupied the throne, most of the Algarve had already fallen into the hands of the Christians.
Templar and
Hospitaller Knights, military and religious orders that supported the
Reconquista, assaulted many of the lands occupied by the Arabs, but were never successful in taking Albufeira. It was following the capture of Faro that the siege of Albufeira became unsupportable. Encircled by enemy forces on all sides, it fell in 1249 to the forces of Afonso III, who donated the lands to the
Order of Aviz in 1250. The Moors were persecuted terribly by the victorious army, which chased the remaining forces into a cavern, known today as
Cova do Xorino, situated near the southern limits of the old city. The town became part of the kingdom of Portugal and the
Algarves.
King D. Manuel I awarded a Charter (
foral) to the Town of Albufeira on 20 August 1504 and from that day the town was governed according to the legislation in force for the rest of the country.
18th and 19th centuries 's guerrilla forces, is an example of the slaughter and looting perpetrated by the antiliberal absolutist faction under the leadership of Remexido during and well after the
Liberal Wars. Albufeira was one of the towns of the Algarve most affected by natural calamities, but it was the
1755 Lisbon earthquake which caused the worst damage. The sea invaded the town with waves, destroying almost all the buildings along the coast. In the town proper, only 27 residential buildings survived the natural disaster, but in states of ruin. The parochial church, an old mosque adapted by the Christians, where many of the residents sought refuge during the cataclysm, collapsed causing 227 deaths. Even following these events, the Algarve continued to experience aftershocks, until 20 August of the following year, which hindered the reconstruction under the Bishop
D. Francisco Gomes de Avelar. In 1833, during the
Liberal Wars between absolutist and liberal forces, Albufeira was encircled and attacked by
Remexido's soldiers: an
anti-liberal, absolutist leader who was as popular as feared and damaged the village's buildings, having executed many of its inhabitants as well. After the 19th century, the community grew through the expansion of the fishery. This is why the locals annually celebrate 'Festival de Peixes', which has been tradition and serves to honor the fisheries in Albufeira that helped with the growth of the city.
20th century In the first decades of the 20th century, the export of fish and nuts represented the largest contribution to the local economy of the municipality. The town itself had five factories employing 700-800 people, mostly wives of fishermen working in local production. Yet, between 1930 and 1960, there was a considerable decline in fortunes, resulting in the closing of many of these factories, the reduction in fishing boats along the coast and the abandonment of many of the homes. The population was reduced by half and the fishing industry became a subsistence activity, supporting local consumption only. The town started to become a hub for
tourism in the 1960s, and has grown to accommodate this since, growing out into the surrounding hills to accommodate thousands of the 5 million tourists who visit the Algarve region each year. == Governance ==