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Tavira - History
Tavira along with Lagos is one of the most architecturally
attractive towns in the Algarve and its origin seems to date back to around
2.000 BC. In about the 7th Century BC the inhabitants of this area prior to
the arrival of the Phoenicians were the fabled Tartessus that were
possibly of a Celtic origin. The location was of considerable importance
during the Roman period and a large area of some 45 hectares to the east of
the present position of Tavira is being excavated on which there is
evidence of a very large Roman settlement. During the occupation of the
Algarve by the Moors this town was given considered importance due to its
fishing industry. Dom Paio Peres Correia took the town from the Moors
in revenge in 1242 after seven of his principal Knights were killed during a
period of supposed truce. During the 17th Century the port in its river was
of was shipping produce such as salt, dried fish and wine. Like most of the
Algarve towns, mainly all the major buildings including its castle were
virtually destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. (Visit - Portugal History)
Tavira - Description
The town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th Century buildings along
with its 37 churches - in fact it is referred to as the town of churches!
The town church of Misericórdia dates back to 1541 and Palácio
de Galeria is a location of historical interest besides being a cultural
centre. A Roman bridge links the two parts of the town across the River
Gilão. The church of Santa Maria do Castelo is built on the
site of a Mosque and in it are the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia
and his seven faithful Knights. Its original economic reliance on the
fishing industry has now been surpassed due to the change in the migration
patterns of the tuna fish. The population are mainly involved in the
servicing a military base whilst the surrounding area is still very rural
and undeveloped. This is now changing due to the demands of the tourist
industry and opening of golf courses in the near vicinity. The immediate
beach for this town lies past the salt pans and is reached by a ferryboat
that takes the visitor to the long attractive sandy-bar island known as
Ilha de Tavira.
Tavira - Nearby Locations
Near to Tavira is the areas Cabanas and Pedras del Rey,
both originally very small beachfront villages. Tourism has now become the
main source of income for many of the fishermen as there fishing has
declined. It is in the latter place that there exists an olive tree that is
said to date from the 17th Century and probably the oldest one of its type
in Portugal. It stands 7.70 metres high and its girth is 11.80 metres. In
the small village of Luz de Tavira there is one of the finest
examples of Manueline art and craftsmanship around the southern door of the
Parish Church. Santa Luzia is a very small un-spoilt village with a
fort and has its name from an Italian effigy of the Virgin Mary that was
recovered from a shipwrecked. Near to the Torre de Aves there are
the remains of a Roman villa. To the east of Tavira and overlooking
the sea can be found the original traditional village of Cacela-a-Velha
used by the Phoenicians and later becoming the possession of the Knights of
Santiago in 1240.
Tavira Weather (detailed)
Detailed Tavira weather conditions
Tavira Photos
Town and River
· Church
· Roman Bridge
· Street
· Landscape
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Tavira Events |
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| Popular Saints Festivities |
June |
| Town Holiday |
24th June |
| Handicraft Festival |
August |
| Feira de Boa Morte |
August 1st |
| Feira de Santa Luzia |
August 8th to 11th |
| Feira Franca Anual (Santo Estavão) |
September |
| Feira de Artesanato (Luz de Tavira) |
September |
| Festa da N. Sra. da Saúde e São Luís (Santa Maria) |
September |
| Festival de Folclore de Tavira |
September |
| Feira de São Francisco |
October 4th to 6th |
| Market Day |
3rd Monday of the month
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Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Quinta do Lago
· Sagres
· Silves
· Vale do Lobo
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Tavira Telephone Numbers
8800
