Tavirense and Balsense Fish Canneries

In 1915, the Padinha administration that was managing the local government, faced on of its worst nightmares. It witnessed strong protests from the local population due to a decision of the republican government - elected in June that year - to transfer the Infantry Regiment Headquarters from Tavira to Faro. This would also mean the departure of the Regimental Music Band to the capital of Algarve, something which the government had tried do in … [Read more...]

Tavira, a journey trough Art and History

Tavira's monuments recount the important history of a city that was the largest in the Algarve in the 16th century. The Port of Tavira harboured the Portuguese fleet that patrolled the Strait of Gibraltar and supplied the markets of North Africa. It was a busy maritime commercial hub where fish, salt, citrus fruit, figs and almonds were exchanged for products from Flanders, India, China...A number of writers have drawn attention to the … [Read more...]

Tavira old olive oil mill

The building with the yellow facade that extends significantly along the Porta Nova street, opposite the old side wall of the São Paulo Church, was in the past an olive oil mill which held in its interior an important inventory of industrial machines that still exist there thus enabling us to document this trade.Since ancient times olive oil has been produced in Tavira; this activity, which played an important role in the dynamisation of the … [Read more...]

The defense of the coastline against sea attacks

In a region which is intimately linked with the sea and its riches, populations have long been establishing themselves along the coastline, exploiting marine resources, simultaneously blessed with the ease of contact with the sea and vulnerable to the evil intentions of some people brought to their door by the immense ocean.In order to address these dangers, defensive systems were created throughout the centuries. These were of varying … [Read more...]

From Phoenician Tavira to the Moors and the Christian Conquest

Tavira is one of the most attractive towns in the Algarve. Its origin dates back from around 2.000 BC, and during the Moorish occupation the fishing industry of this town was of great importance. In the XVIIth Century its port, located at the Gilão River, Tavira played a significant role shipping wine, salt and dried fish. After the earthquake in 1755 the town has been completely rebuilt with many fine XVIIIth Century buildings and 38 churches. … [Read more...]