The town is a very old settlement with historic references that date back to the Medieval Ages. The river, and several waterways that flow into it, creating alluvial deposits that enable the growth of vegetables, corn, potatoes and olive tees, often using terraces. The settlement took place along a ridge overlooking the river. Here, as in other riverside locations, the Zêzere was the natural outlet for pinewood, a species which has long been dominant in the forest cover of the region and one of its main resources.

However, the main lever for the development of Silvares in the 20th century was the mining in Couto Mineiro da Panasqueira, being a few kilometres away from the village, in Cabeça do Pião, the washing complex was installed which, through a cable car, ensured the treatment of the ore coming from Barroca Grande. Associated to this structure, to its labour and maintenance needs, a workers’ quarter and various warehouses were built.