Tavira

Tavira, the architectural capital of the Algarve, is located 30 kms from the west and 30 kms from the Spain-Portugal border.

The town's origins date back to the late Bronze Age (1.000 - 800 BC). In the 8th century BC it became one of the first Phoenician settlements in the Iberian West. During the time of Caesar, the Romans created a new port, some 7 kms from Tavira, named Balsa. Under Roman rule, Tavira was a secondary passing place on the important road between Balsa and Baesuris (today Castro Marim).
The Moorish occupation of Tavira between the 8th and 13th centuries left its mark on the agriculture, architecture and culture of the area. That influence can still be seen in Tavira today with its whitewashed buildings, Moorish style doors and rooftops. A castle, two mosques and palaces were built by the Moors. The »quatro aguas« rooftops are unique in Tavira.

The town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th Century buildings along with its 37 churches. A Roman (actually Moorish) bridge links the two parts of the town across the River Gilão. The church of Santa Maria do Castelo, built on the site of a Moorish mosque holds the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and his knights. The church dates from the 13th century and the clock tower has been remodeled from the original Muslim minaret.

Its original economic reliance on the fishing industry has now passed due to changed migration patterns of Tuna and further silting up of the river Gilao. The population is in the region of 25,000 inhabitants, whilst the surrounding area is still fairly rural and undeveloped. Tavira's beach is located on a 5 mile island, passed the salt flats and is reached by a ferryboat that takes the visitor to the sand-bar island part of the Ria Formosa. The island and beaches can also be reached from the nearby footbridge in Santa Luzia which has a local train for those that don't want to walk.