Designed by architect Mário Varela Gomes, Salir Museum opened to the public on 18 May 2006.
Archaeological finds have been a regular occurrence in the civil parish of Salir since the 19th century. They include such treasures as menhirs, a wide variety of Neolithic objects, Bronze-age tombs, inscribed Iron-age stelae, Roman ruins and materials, and various mediaeval relics, particularly the remains of its Muslim castle.
Between 1987 and 1998, archaeological digs inside the castle, overseen by Helena Catarino, uncovered a series of houses and a collection of items that shed light on the day-to-day life of its inhabitants during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The museum was created to conserve, enhance and exhibit this heritage at the place where it was found.