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The handicrafts which can still be seen today in the municipality of Tavira give you an idea of the roots and culture that have prevailed here since the times of the present-day population’s ancestors.
Tecelagem (Weaving)
This is an art that has been handed down from generation to generation as the weavers passed their skills on to their daughters and then to their granddaughters in a centuries-long process of history and tradition.
Weaving takes patience and skill since the linen needs to be treated first before it can be transformed into pretty towels, shawls and rugs, among many other items.
(Empreita) Palm-leaf handicrafts
Crafting from palm-leaves is a job mostly carried out by women. The leaves must first undergo an initial treatment following which they may be used to produce countless articles such as mats, hats, bags and rugs.
(Latoaria) Tin Work
Buckets, weather-vanes, water pitchers and many other items made from tin are the result of the dedicated work of the tin artisans.
The tin artisan collects objects, such as tin cans, that appear at first glance to be of no use whatsoever, and transforms them into useful and amusing articles. This skill is now dying out.
Aguardente (Firewater)
This drink is usually consumed after a good meal, and serves to ward off the cold in the winter months. In Tavira, firewater is usually produced from figs and arbutus berries, fruits that are plentiful in the mountainous areas of the Algarve.
Cestaria (Basketry)
Generally considered as men’s work, basketry is the art of working with the cane that grows along the riverbanks. The cane is used to produce articles such as baskets, intended for use in the fields and in the home.
Roof tiles, floor tiles and bricks
This is considered a job for the men, who became known as tile-makers. In the days when buildings were largely made from clay, the tile-making profession was certainly common. However, as time passed it began to die out and only recently have the traditional bricks and tiles made a comeback as attractive items for wall decoration. The tiles produced are a fundamental item in the construction of the typical “scissor” roofs, since the secret of the construction is also dependent upon the shape of the tiles.
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