Tavira Holidays | Tavira Apartment

 The Castle

 The origin of Tavira goes back to 2000 B.C., during the occupation of the Algarve by the Moors. Tavira was of great importance then because of its fishing and fish salting industry.The Castle of Tavira (locally known as Castelo de Tavira) lies in the town historic centre. It’s unknown when the first castle at this site was built. Sources say in the VIII century B.C., a fortress was already being rebuilt by the Phoenicians in that place. The actual castle however probably dates back to the XII century.

 There was a castle there when the town was conquered from the Moors on July 11 of 1239 by King D. Paio Peres Correia during the Reconquest of Algarve. In 1242 the castle was granted, by D. King Sancho II, to the Order of the Knights of Santiago who renounced this donation 30 years later. In 1293, and due to the importance of Tavira in the defence of pirate attacks, King D. Dinis ordered the remodeling and reconstruction of the Castle. In the 1755 earthquake the castle and town were massively destroyed.

Tavira Castle now consists of remains of two square towers, one octagonal tower and walls on three sides. None of the towers possess the characteristics of a keep although there surely must have been one. In the interior of the Castle lies now a small garden. You can climb to most of walls and towers. The castle can be visited, for free, during the daytime until 5:00pm.

 There is a local legend which talks about  the existence of an enchanted Moorish female, who appears crying  on the night of St. John (24th Of June - main city festivity). She would be the daughter of Aben-Fabila,  the Moorish governor who disappeared by magic after enchanting the daughter, when Tavira was conquered from the Moors. The story tells the Moorish governor intended to return, to conquer Tavira again and ransom his daughter, but he never did.

The Castle offers an amazing view of Tavira

  Situated in a disused water tower a trip to the camera obscura is a great way to get your bearings in Tavira-it gives a fantastic real time 360 degree view of the town.Opened in 2004 ,Clive Jackson ,himself an astronomer takes just 12 people at a time up in the lift to see the camera.

 The camera obscura (dark chamber) is a vintage old optical device used in drawing, and one of the ancestral threads leading to the invention of photography. Photographic devices today are still known as "cameras". In the big tank on the top floor a wooden structure is created on which a max of 12 visitors at a time can gather round a concave projection screen with a diameter of 3 meter. On this screen an image of Tavira and its surroundings is projected. The light enters the tank from above via a contraption which can be rotated by remote control. In the contraption are the lenses and a 45˚ mirror. The focal length of the ‘camera’ is 4000 mm. The depth of focus is limited, so to focus on things nearest to the lens, the projection screen is lowered electrically.
Together with the explanation of the polyglot guide a visit to the Câmara Obscura is a very enjoyable experience. And its very nice to again realise how photography started life. 

 for more information on the camera obscura visit their website at www.cdepa.pt/camera/en_mail.html

Astronomical Observatory (CDEPA)

If you want to enjoy a clearer and more precise view of the stars, Tavira has an Astronomical Observatory that you can visit: an informal scientific centre that offers visitors all the necessary conditions, equipment and information to reveal the secrets of the cosmos or just simply to appreciate the clear Algarve sky. The observation centre offers you the broadest possible view of the sky, always with the sea on the horizon, giving you the chance to discover its treasures with the aid of a telescope, binoculars, cameras or the mobile planetarium.
Even if you don’t recognise the stars, don’t know the name of the constellations and don’t understand the phenomenon of the falling stars, watching the sky at night is a completely different way of spending the evening, and a night out that will certainly stay imprinted on your memory for a long time to come.

Comet Hytutake in spring 1995 as seen at CDEPA Tavira.

If you are interested in more information on the Observatory then visit their website-www.cdepa.pt

 Tour of Tavira by Mini Train

 Another way to get an overview of the town is to take the mini train tour which is especially fun for children.

 The train runs hourly from 10-7pm from the Praca de Republica, the trip lasts 40 mins, costs €3 and covers all the main attractions.During June the train runs until 8pm and in July and August until midnight.

 Tavira arguably has some of the finest churches in the Algarve and they are plentiful too, in fact there are more than 20 in and around the town!  The 16th century Igreja da Misericórdia is often cited as one of the finest churches in Tavira, with its blue and white azuejos, magnificent carvings and scenes from the life of Christ.

 It is located up the hill just past the tourist office. Walk up the side of the church and then turn left and you will arrive at the13th century Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo which is next to the castle.

 Santa Maria is famed for holding the tombs of the seven Christian knights of the Order of St. James who were killed by the Moors. There is also a plaque marking the tomb of  Paio Peres Correia (a master of the Order) although there is a church in Spain also said to hold the tomb! The 13th century castle, re-built by King Dinis from Moorish fortifications, gives fantastic views across Tavira from the walls.

 Churches in the Tavira area

• Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria do Castelo (Parish church of Santa Maria near the castle). Originating from the 13th century but it has had alterations since. The clock tower is part of the original building.
  Opening hours: Monday to Friday 2pm to 6.30pm

• Igreja de Sant'Iago (St. James) - 17th century 

• Igreja de São Paulo - part of a former monastery and built during the 17th century. 

• Igreja de São José do Hospital - a late 18th century church with a porch in 'rocaille' style and the main altar has 'trompe l'oeil' paintwork. Originally built in the 15th century and known as the The Holy Spirit Church, it, and the hospital next door, were badly damaged in an earthquake in 1722. They were just about finished being rebuilt when the 1755 earthquake ruined them again. The present church was finished in 1768. 

• Igreja de São Francisco -  it's medieval in origin but underwent substantial rebuilding in the 19th century. It's bell tower is baroque.

• Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Livramento (Our Lady of the Liberation) - about 3 kms from Luz de Tavira -  the facade is decorated in blue tiles and the inside has some of the intricately carved and gilded baroque work.

• Hermitage of Santa Ana - probably originates from 15/16th century, but was completely rebuilt during the 18th century.

• Igreja de Carmo - 18th century and a very good example of baroque art.

• Armação Museological Nucleus: The Tuna Fishing Museum Nucleus at the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora (Quatro Águas), celebrates the history of Tavira tuna fishing, which actually began back in around 1734. If you visit the museum, you'll also be in the same area as the Rato Forte and if you are travelling in spring time you may want to visit the saltpans, which become inhabited by flamingos. (Tel: 281 380 800). Opening hours: 9am to 7pm everyday.

• Municipal Museum, Palácio da Galeria, Tavira. Exhibits showing the history and culture of Tavira.
  Opening hours during the summer: 10.00h to 12.00h and 16.00h to 19.30h, Tuesday to Saturday.
  Opening hours during the winter: 10.00h to 12.00h and 14.00h to 17.30h Tuesday to Saturday.
  Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.
   

• Cachopo  musuem, Rua Matos Casaca,12, Cachopo. Exhibition of 'The life in the Serra' . 
  Opening hours: 09.30h to 13.00h and 14.30h to 18.00h.

• Casa-Museu do Monte da Guerreira, Santo Estevão. An exhibition of religious and decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries (china, cristal, furniture etc) in a room in a typical Algarve quinta (farm house). 
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  "O Pego do Inferno" ("The Pool of Hell"): Pego do Inferno is in the parish of Santo Estevão, a few kilometres from Tavira. The name is quite ironic, considering that it is a beautiful turquoise-blue lagoon with a 5 metre cascading waterfall (an outlet for the River de Asseca). It is an area of great environmental wealth and is the perfect setting to relax, swim, take in the nature and even spot some of the local wildlife. The natural lagoon forms part of the National Ecological Reserve and is protected by a rocky crag and green trees and shrubs. The footpath is the best way to get to the waterfall; and there is the picnic area where you can stop and enjoy your packed lunch. Directions to Pego do Inferno:
Get on the EN397 from Tavira towards Cachopo and take a left turn, after approximately 7 km. Pego do Inferno is hidden behind the exotic vegetation, following a  walk down some hundred steps. Note: Don't forget some insect repellent!

Skate Park 

Across the river within walking distance of the apartment is a skate park for skateboards and rollerblades-so if you have kids with you this could be the place for them to have fun-there is a cafe so you could enjoy a drink while keeping an eye on them.  

You can also rent small bikes and go-karts and there is a road   

way to drive around complete with traffic lights,stop signs junctions and roundabouts. 

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