Portugal Culture

That time when buying potatoes became a Portuguese verb pop quiz: batata cozer vs batata assar. Standing there, feeling like I’m being tested on two different subjects at once — vocabulary and cooking. Freezing momentarily, because this isn’t just labeling. This is a commitment.

Cultural memory plays a quiet but lasting role in how food and drink are understood in Portugal.

Tavira is said to have 37 churches but I cannot locate this many! Even Tavira's Guide to Churches and Chapels lists 21. Perhaps the classification (church vs chapel ), the century built, or the parish where it resides explains the discrepancy. What I do know is that not all are open to the public (hence the name of this post).

O Castelo de Tavira (the castle of Tavira) dates back to the 11th century when the region was under Moorish rule. Through its history, the castle sustained significant damage especially during the 1755 earthquake. Substantial parts of it remain today.

Rain and museums seem to go together. We recently had over a week of heavy rain and decided to take in two museums on a rainy Tuesday in January. For 3€, we went to both Núcleo Islâmico and Palácio da Galeria.

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.

What better way to get started than with a 5-church starter pack. We begin at the main church of Tavira, Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria do Castelo, and visit the neighboring church Igreja Matriz de Santiago. Two more churches on this side of the Rio Gilão are Igreja de Misericórdia, Igreja de São José and then cross over to see Igreja de São Paulo.