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 Tavira History
Tavira along with Lagos is one of the most
architecturally attractive towns in the Algarve and its origin
possibly dates back to around 2.000 BC. During the occupation of
the Algarve by the Moors this town was considered of great
importance due to its fishing industry. Dom Paio Peres Correia
took the town from the Moors in anger in 1242 after seven of his
principal Knights were killed during a period of supposed truce.
In the 17th century the port in its river was of considerable
importance and shipping produce such as salt, dried fish and wine.
Like most of the Algarve its buildings were all virtually
destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.
Tavira Description
The town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th century fine
buildings along with its 37 churches. 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 Moorish
Mosque and in it is the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and
his seven 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 is in the region of
20,000 inhabitants originally supporting 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 beach for this town lies past
the salt pans and is reached by a ferryboat that takes the visitor
to the sandy-bar island known as Ilha de Tavira.
Tavira Nearby Locations
Near to Tavira is Cabanas and Pedras del Rey,
both small beachfront villages catering specifically for the tourist.
In the small village of Luz de Tavira there is one of the
finest examples of Manueline craftsmanship around the southern door
of the Parish Church. Santa Luzia gets its name from a
shipwrecked Italian effigy of the Virgin Mary and is a very small
unspoilt village with a fort. Near to the Torre de Aves there
is the remains of a Roman villa. To the east of Tavira and
overlooking the sea is the still original traditional village of
Cacela-a-Velha used by the Phoenicians and later becoming the
possession of the Knights of Santiago in 1240.
Tavira Events
June - Popular Saints Festivities
August - Handicraft Festival
August 1st - Feira de Boa Morte
August 8th to 11th - Feira de Santa Luzia
October 4th to 6th - Feira de São Francisco
3rd Monday of the month - Monthly Day
24th of June - Municipal Day
 Useful Tavira Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 281 325 021
Fire Brigade - 281 322 122
Police - 281 220 22
Hospital: 281 324 023
Emergency Treatment - 281 324 023
Ambulance - 281 325 473
Tourist Office - 281 322 511
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António |
