Albufeira Old Town - Faro | Algarve Portugal | 16 October 2022

#albufeira (#portuguese pronunciation: [alβuˈfɐjɾɐ] (listen)) is a city and seat of its own municipality in the district of #Faro, in the southernmost Portuguese region of #Algarve. The municipality population in 2021 was 44,158,[1] in an area of 140.66 square kilometres (54.31 square miles).[2] The city proper had a population of 28,645 in 2021.[3] It is 250 kilometres (160 mi) from Lisbon, and is within close proximity of Paderne Castle. #Lagoa is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west, and Faro 45 kilometres (28 mi) to the south-east. A tourist destination (due to its coastal conditions), Albufeira expands to approximately 300,000 residents during the summer and during the #christmas and New Year celebrations, owing to the number of hotels and lodgings in its municipality, that includes marina facilities, golf courses, restaurants and bars for the annual flood of visitors.
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 #RomanEmpire, 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.[6] 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.