Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Set on either side of the meandering Rio Gilão, Tavira is a charming town. The ruins of a
hilltop castle, an old Roman bridge and a smattering of Gothic and Renaissance churches
are among Tavira's historic attractions. Its enticing assortment of restaurants and guest-
houses makes it an excellent base for exploring the Algarve's eastern section.
Tavira is ideal for wandering; the warren of cobblestone streets hides pretty, historic
gardens and shady plazas. There's a small, active fishing port and a modern market. Only
3km from the coast, Tavira is the launching point for the stunning, unspoilt beaches of
Ilha de Tavira.
History
The Roman settlement of Balsa was just down the road from Tavira, near Santa Luzia
(3km west). The seven-arched bridge the Romans built at Tavira (which was then called
Tabira) was an important link in the route between Baesuris (Castro Marim) and Os-
sonoba (Faro).
In the 8th century, the Moors occupied Tavira. They built the castle, probably on the
site of a Roman fortress, and two mosques. In 1242 Dom Paio Peres Correia reconquered
the town. Those Moors who remained were segregated into the
mouraria
(segregated
Moorish quarter) outside the town walls.
As the port closest to the Moroccan coast, Tavira became important during the Age of
Discoveries, serving as a base for Portuguese expeditions to North Africa, supplying pro-
visions (especially salt, wine and dried fish) and a hospital. Its maritime trade also expan-
ded, with exports of salted fish, almonds, figs and wine to northern Europe. By 1520 it
had become the Algarve's most populated settlement and was raised to the rank of city.
Decline began in the early 17th century when the North African campaign was aban-
doned and the Rio Gilão became so silted up that large boats couldn't enter the port. Th-
ings got worse when the plague struck in 1645, followed by the 1755 earthquake.
After briefly producing carpets in the late 18th century, Tavira found a more stable in-
come in its tuna fishing and canning industry, although this too declined in the 1950s.
Today, tourists have taken the place of fish as the biggest money-earners.
