| TAVIRA |
Approached through green fields studded with almond trees, the
photogenic town of Tavira is the most attractive town in the
Eastern Algarve. Lined with 18th-century houses topped by pyramidal
Roman-tiled roofs, it was one of the most important Moorish
settlements in the region, along with Silves and Faro.
The proximity of Tavira to the Moroccan coast bolstered its
importance, formally recognised in 1282 by King Dinis who gave
its seamen equal rights to those of Lisbon. It achieved city
status in 1520, having become one of the largest ports in the
Algarve.
What to see. The best view of Tavira is from the walls
of the Moorish castle, which rises out of a cluster of houses
and gardens. Behind the castle is the church of Santa Maria
do Castelo, traditionally built on the site of a mosque. The
church of the Misericórdia boasts a fine Renaissance
door, 18th-century azulejo glazed tiles and a beautifully-carved
high altar.
The interior of the church of São Sebastião has
paintings depicting the lives of Jesus and Mary. On the other
side of the square, the church of Santo António features
a life-size tableau of angels and saints attending the funeral
of St Anthony.
Nearby. The parish church at Luz de Tavira 6 km away
features contrasting Manueline and Renaissance doorways and
relics from before the 1755 earthquake. 11 km long and 500 m
wide, the long, sandy beach setting of Ilha da Tavira is easily
reachable by ferry from the terminal 2 km south of the town
centre. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
