Village

Today's Sunday post challenge is "Village". Visit Jake's blog to find out more.

View from the road to Tunes

That, in the distance is the village of Paderne, a few kilometres north of Albufeira. 

Paderne's origin dates back to the construction of the castle in the 12th century. Dom Paio Peres Correia, in the service of King Afonso III, conquered the castle in 1248, which was why it was represented in the Portuguese flag as one of the seven castles of the Algarve taken from the Moors.

I have been on a walk around the area of the castle, but it didn't include a visit to the ruins (there was archeological work going on), so I don't have photos. Click on the picture below to see beautiful shots of the castle ruins, which can be shared.

Want photos of the castle ruins? Click on the picture.

With the disappearance of the Moorish threat, the castle of Paderne lost strategic importance and its decline was compounded by the move of the village to its present location about 3 km down the hill, after the construction of the Parish Church in the beginning of the 16th century.

View from the school gates

Paderne, whose economy was based on traditional forms of agriculture, became a rich village, with nearly 5000 inhabitants in 1950. 

In the 60s, the whole of Portugal saw the beginning of a long period of emigration to other countries and large towns. 

Then, in the 70s, tourism took over the coast and Paderne became a supplier of workers to the tourist industry in Albufeira. 

Nowadays, the local community has seen the arrival of many foreigners, mainly from northern and eastern Europe, who have made this picturesque village their home, too.

Medieval Fair, organised by the local school - June, 2005

Paderne's active community organises many events to liven up this apparently sleepy place.

To check out what's on in Paderne, visit this Albufeira website.