The Style of Tavira

Looking around Tavira, you will see the remains of a castle, crumbled walls, scissor roofs, lattice doors, hand-shaped door knockers, an old bridge spanning the river, and buildings in every architectural style imaginable. History tells the story of the evolving style of this region.

A Brief History

It is thought that during the time of Caesar, a port city roughly 4 km from Tavira was established. It was known as Balsa, and many regard this as the original name of Tavira.

Phoenician Settlement. Tavira dates back to the late Bronze Age starting with a Phoenician Settlement. The settlement ended and Tavira was abandoned for a century.

Tartessian Period. Abandoned by the end of the 4th century BCE.

Moorish occupation. Moorish influence is seen today in the whitewashed building and moorish building styles.

Reconquista. In 1242 Tavira was taken back from the Moors by Dom Paio Peres Correia as part of the Reconquista.

Earthquake. The 1755 earthquake caused substantial damage throughout the Algarve. The earthquake is commonly associated with Lisbon, but in fact, the earthquake center was in the south west part of Portugal.

Phoenician

One of the most apparent remnants from the Phoenician and Moorish occupation are walls and you can see it throughout the town. On the picture of the Moorish wall, the street sign reads “Rua Detrás Dos Muros” which translates to “The Street Behind the Walls”.

Phoenician Walls

Moorish Walls

Moorish

Moor is an exonym (non-native name) given to the Muslim populations of the Iberian Peninsula. Two elements of this period are found literally everywhere. The hand-shaped door knockers represent the hand of Fatima, and are thought to protect the home. Very common and often found in pairs, the male/female pairs are less prevalent and thought to be used to designate who is calling — a male or a female. Portas de Reixa are lattice doors. These have a specific function allowing women, who were not allowed outside, to look out without being seen.

Moorish

Moorish

Tavira’s old bridge (Ponte Antiga de Tavira) is also called the Roman Bridge but there is nothing Roman about it. It is thought to have been built in the 2nd half the 12th century when Tavira was part of the Islamic Domain of Iberia, al-Andalus.

Moorish (not Roman) Bridge

Moorish (not Roman) Bridge

Gothic

Medieval architecture can be found throughout Tavira. Many of the structures have a blended architecture, caused by rebuilding over the years.

Gothic

Manueline (Portuguese Gothic)

Renaissance & Neoclassic

This style I am the least confident about. I believe the facade of Igreja da Misericórdia (Mercy Church) is an example of Portuguese Renaissance. And the tower of Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo is an example of Neoclassic architecture.

Portuguese Renaissance

Neoclassical

Estilo Chão

Even though Estilo Chão literally translates to “floor style,” it represents a plain style of architecture.

Estilo Chão (Plain Style)

Estilo Chão (Plain Style)

Baroque

After the plain style, a more dramatic baroque architectural style emerged. This dated to 1711-1765 when the works of Diogo Tavares de Ataíde, one of the most influential architects brought this style to the Algarve region.

Baroque

Baroque

Optical Illusions

Here are two examples of painted altarpieces that give the illusion of 3D design.

Trompe-l’œil

Ilusão ótica

Platibanda

Painted geometric facades known as platibanda style are seen on many Algarvian buildings. It is a horizontal strip on the upper part of a building and is believed to have a function of hiding the roof and/or former purpose of the building. Platibandas appeared during a period of prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Platibanda

Platibanda

Roofs and Chimneys

Telhados de Quatro Águas translates to Roofs of 4 Waters, and represents a roof style found in uniquely in Tavira. These steep 4-sided roofs span a division of an entire dwelling, and their origin is not completely known. Also common are Algarvian Chimneys which date back to the 17th and 18th century aligning with the Baroque period. Every chimney had a different design, and the more ornate spoke to wealth of its owner.

Roofs (hipped or scissor roofs)

Chimney

Azulejo Tile

Blue and white tiles are seen everywhere in Tavira. These tiles line the interiors of churches, homes, and commonplace buildings. Some tell a story, like the one pictured here.