TAVIRA, Algarve

 This small town of about 26,000 inhabitants has been a real happy discovery. Located east of Faro and close to the Spanish border, this is a great place to visit and a delightful encounter.

Hilltop view of Tavira

The layout is peculiar. These are lowlands partially covered with marshes, hosting protected wildlife (Ria Formosa Natural Park). Today, there are also salt pans outside the town among marshes and inlets. The town is built on the two banks of the Gilao River, which comes from Spain and goes into the ocean south of Tavira.

The town has a long history going back to 1,000 B.C. during the Bronze Age. But in the 8th century B.C., it became an important Phoenician settlement on the Atlantic. Later, the Romans also came here as well. But during the period of the 8th to 13th century A.D., it became a Moorish stronghold. The castle on the hilltop is a reminder of this period. As a matter of fact, the name, Tavira, dates back to the Moors’ occupation. In Arabic, ‘Tabira’  means “hidden”.  And truly hidden it is! To get to its port on the river banks, boats need to sail upstream the Gilao River, away from the ocean.

In the 18th century, Tavira was partly destroyed by the earthquake that shook the region all the way up to Lisbon.

Today, the old medieval town center has a definite Portuguese atmosphere, where colors and 'azulejos' adorn its cobbled streets and narrow lanes. An old bridge links the two banks of the town. Tavira has also many churches. Walking up the hill as far as the Moorish citadel will provide a full taste of what to expect. On top of the hill, next to the Moorish walls, the Church of St. James, which was built above an ancient mosque, provides a great viewpoint over the city and the river.

Christian Sorand

1. At the hilltop.

St.James Church history (in French)

St. James Church (18th c.)

 

St. James tower.

Tavira Cityview

At the hilltop. A friend pointed out
that the tree is a Pepper Tree, which
some Portuguese settlers imported
all the way to California.

2. Going uphill across the old city.

 

Portuguese architecture

An unusual cobbled street

'Rua dos Pelames' (Fur St.) is an unusual building with
an exotic Chinese touch, near the river.

A very unusual window

 

Another typical street

3. Downtown by the river bank.

At the Town Square

Public garden and municipal market

  

Near the riverbank promenade

On the riverbank walk.

The other side of town from the old bridge.

Bridge view on the hill

The fishing harbor on the river.

 

Town façade.

Shadows

  

Classic façade

4. The quaint Portuguese streets of Tavira.

Cobbled street

  

Azulejos and orange tree

Classic style

On a town square.

A colorful corner

Portuguese white and blue.

Corner house on a cobbled street.