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Tavira - Architectural Heritage |
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Castelo (Castle)
Tavira Castle stands on the top of a hill on the banks of the Gilão River. The castle was built by the Moors on the foundations of an ancient Roman castle. Originally it had seven towers, on a trapezoidal floor plan, and was reconstructed by Dom Dinis in the 18th century. It plays a key role in the memory and imagination of the local population, because it is associated with the legend of the impossible love between a Christian knight and a Moorish princess. According to the legend, during the Christian reconquest of the city from the Moors, the princess’s father left her at the castle so that he could return to get her at a later date. Under her father’s spell, the beautiful princess was unable to leave the castle walls. It was on the night of São João that the Christian knight D. Ramiro fell in love with her, as he caught sight of her on the castle battlements. In order to break the spell and save the princess, the knight had to try and climb the castle walls before daybreak, which the poor knight failed to do. When the first rays of sunlight broke through, the princess cried, rose up into a cloud and vanished forever. People say that on the nights of São João the princess occasionally appears, waiting for her lover.
From the castle, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view over the entire city, and observe the traditional “scissor roofs” in greater detail and delight in the panorama over the Ria Formosa on the horizon. Inside the castle, there is a garden which is a very attractive retreat on sunny days.
Churches
In Tavira, around almost every corner you will stumble upon a centuries-old church or chapel. Most date from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis)
This church is rooted firmly in the mediaeval period, although it has been remodelled a number of times over the centuries, which introduced features from different architectural styles, mainly Gothic and Baroque.
Visitors should note the attractive 15th century statue of Saint Ana, offering a piece of fruit to the Child she is holding. This church is part of the Old Convent of Saint Francis.
Capela de Nossa Senhora da Consolação (Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation)
Located in the historic centre of the city, this chapel, with its simple appearance, holds many stories of condemned persons who spent their last hours there seeking consolation and forgiveness. This chapel dates from the 17th century and comprises a single nave.
Igreja de São Paulo ou de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Church of Saint Paul or Our Lady of Help)
Dating from the 17th century and part of the Convent of Saint Paul, this beautiful church with its Renaissance portico, has a high altar in gilt woodwork (17th century) on the inside and a number of religious figures from the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. On entering, visitors should note the 17th century statue of Our Lady of Help, to be seen in the doorway.
Antigo Convento de São Paulo ou de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Old Convent of Saint Paul or Old Convent of Our Lady of Help)
Built in 1606 and lived in by monks and hermits.
Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo (Church of Saint Mary of the Castle)
This church was originally a Moslem mosque, but the 1755 earthquake meant that it had to be remodelled.
In its interior, the chapels with statues representing the Most Saintly, the Souls and Lord of the Stations, provide good reason to pay a visit to this church.
Igreja da Misericórdia (Mercy Church)
This church is highly unusual owing to its Renaissance features which are unique in the Algarve.
When visiting this church, have a look at the statues of Our Lady of the Conception and Saint Isabel found on the high altar.
The inside walls of this church are decorated with interesting blue and white tiles representing the works of mercy and stages in the life of Christ.
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Ondas ou Igreja de São Pedro Gonçalves (Church of Our Lady of the Waves or of São Pedro Gonçalves)
This church was probably built in the 16th century and is particularly linked to fishermen and seafarers. On entering, go over to the high altar and look carefully at the statue of Our Lady of the Waves. This statue represents the faith of many sailors who went off to sea, as well as that of many mothers praying for their children in this same place of worship where you are now walking centuries later.
Igreja de São José do Hospital (Church of São José do Hospital)
Built towards the end of the 18th century, this church contains an example of an altarpiece with “trompe l’oeil’’ painting. After this visit, take a look at the Chapel of São Brás, next to the church, which was almost totally destroyed during the 1755 earthquake, but where one chapel can still be identified.
Igreja de Santo António (Church of Saint Anthony)
Built in the 17th century, the Church of Saint Anthony has received many young ladies over the years, who, according to folklore, went to request a good marriage from this Saint, known as the patron saint of courtship and marriage. Inside the church, visitors will find a number of paintings illustrating the miracles of this saint, as well as a set of life-sized statues representing episodes from the life of Saint Anthony.
Ermida de São Sebastião (Chapel of Saint Sebastian)
Currently undergoing restoration work, inside this chapel there is a set of “trompe l’oeil” paintings as well as paintings depicting the life of Jesus and Our Lady.
Ermida do Calvário (Chapel of Calvary)
A simple chapel, of rural origin, but hiding within it are interesting religious pieces such as an 18th century statue of Christ.
Antigo Convento Carmelita e Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo (Old Carmelite Convent and Church of the Third Order of Carmel)
Constructed side by side, the Church of the Third Order of Carmel and the Carmelite Convent were never completely finished. However, they are richly decorated on the inside, including a magnificent example of the Rococo style in the chancel, the most sublime in the whole of the Algarve.
Antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora da Graça (Old Convent of Our Lady of Grace)
With a baroque façade, this cloister is in the style of the 16th century on the first floor, formed by classical arcades with Tuscan pillars. Having been used as military barracks after the abolition of the religious orders until 1974, this convent was recently restored and turned into a “Pousada de Portugal” (national network of inns in historical sites), the Pousada Convento da Graça. Try the sensation of staying in a place with such a rich heritage and centuries of history.
Antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora da Piedade ou das Bernardas (Old Convent of Our Lady of Piety or of the Bernardas)
Built between 1509 and 1528 in the Manueline style, this convent is the largest in the Algarve. Part of the structure of the convent is a chapel built in honour of Our Lady of Piety.
The convent is currently not in a good state of repair, and it is hoped that restoration work will be carried out in the near future.
Quartel da Atalaia (Military Barracks)
Military barracks built in 1795, where a number of infantry units have been housed over the years.
Ponte Romana (Roman Bridge)
This bridge of Roman origin owes its present appearance to remodelling work carried out in the 17th century. For many years it was the only crossing point over the river flowing through the city. Take the opportunity to walk over this attractive bridge, sit on its stone benches and observe the natural beauty of the river, with its many seagulls and little terns on the stones in the Gilão River at low tide.
The traditional roofs of Tavira
These roofs give the city of Tavira its characteristic appearance. The best place to observe these typical roofs is Tavira castle, owing to its position above the houses in the historical part of the city. From this point, visitors can take a closer look at these roofs with four sloping sides, whose origin is unknown, but which are known as “scissor roofs”. By counting the number of these roofs in each house, it is possible to work out how many rooms it has, as each roof corresponds to one room.
Porta D. Manuel (Gate)
Located in front of Tavira City Hall, this gate provides a way through from inside the city walls to the Praça da República, formerly known as Praça da Ribeira. The gate is named in honour of D. Manuel who made Tavira a city in 1520.
Lattice-work doors and windows
It is not easy to find these typical Tavira doors and windows anywhere else in the Algarve; they are made of interwoven strips of wood, with small openings to allow the air to circulate inside the houses.
Mercado da Ribeira (Ribeira Market)
A building dating from the 19th century, which housed the vegetable and fruit market for many years; it is nowadays a leisure area, where visitors can enjoy an excellent meal by the riverside, have a coffee, try one of the region’s traditional sweets or have a look at one of the many temporary exhibitions that can be seen here.
Palácio da Galeria (Municipal Museum)
Probably built during the 16th century, the palace is situated inside the castle walls. Visitors can easily reach this beautiful building, which currently houses the Municipal Museum, through the D. Manuel gate, turning along the side street to the left of the Igreja da Misericórdia (Mercy Church). Do not miss the opportunity to have a look at this cultural centre, where you can enjoy exhibitions showing the work of well known artists.
Lagar Museu (Olive Oil Museum)
Once the house of a farmer, this building nowadays houses the Lagar Museum where the techniques used in the artisanal production of olive oil are on display. Exhibitions and cultural events are occasionally held in this museum.
Museu do Mar (Museum of the Sea)
Situated in the Hotel Albacora, an old tuna fishing establishment, formerly known as Arraial Ferreira Neto. Its interior contains a museum where a model of the “Medo das Cascas” tuna net station can be seen, in addition to documents, fishing equipment and vessels used for tuna fishing. Visitors can also learn more about this art from a documentary film.
Forte do Rato ou Forte Arraial Ferreira Neto (Rato Fort or Arraial Ferreira Neto Fort)
Situated next to the mouth of the Gilão River, this fort is an excellent observation point over the extremely beautiful Ria Formosa all around. From here you can see birds far away flying and landing over Tavira Island, on the other side of the river. At the end of the afternoon, from inside the fort, come and enjoy the sunset. While waiting, have a look at the salt marshes on either side of the road and get to know a little of the local flora and fauna.
Casa André Pilarte (16th century house)
Recently restored, this magnificent two-storey building was built in the 16th century. Located inside the city’s historic centre, it is a good example of 16th century architecture. It is built on a corner and has a roof with four sloping sides.
Casa Cabreira (20th century house)
Located next to the river Gilão, this two-storey building dates from the 20th century, and reflects a modern architectural style constructed of brickwork.
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