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...]
Walls of Tavira II – Islamic and Portuguese walls (3/3)
October 1, 2007 Filed Under: Routes
Only in 1167/68 was Tavira to surrender to the power of the Almoadans.From here until the taking of the city by the knights of Santiago, the walled section was extended, with the construction of a new section of wall defending yet another extension of the city; this time to the West. This construction came out of the Western part of the castle and was to surround the entire zone which leads from Rua dos Escuteiros to the point where Rua da … [Read more...]
Walls of Tavira II – Islamic and Portuguese walls (2/3)
July 7, 2007 Filed Under: Routes
With the fall of these cities, one part of the population, generally the richer and more influential elements, moved towards the South, establishing themselves in the developed urban hubs on the Algarve's coast. Between the Christian lands and the area where they now sought refuge, lay vast swathes of Alentejan heath, from whence raids by the Christian armies in the mountains of the Algarve would be launched.Those who sought refuge there … [Read more...]
Walls of Tavira II – Islamic and Portuguese walls (1/3)
May 19, 2007 Filed Under: Routes
1400 years passed, fourteen centuries, without any important urban nucleus developing on the banks of the River Gilão.In archaeological digs or simple lucky finds, elements have been gathered, mostly ceramics and some construction materials, which have allowed us to confirm that the North-Western area of Colina de Santa Maria was once the site of a Roman village. The settlement may have been destroyed during the Islamic period, because the … [Read more...]
The walls of Tavira I – Phoenician walls (2 of 2)
April 28, 2007 Filed Under: Routes
The narrowest section of the wall, and the part which is on display at the future Phoenician Museum (Netos), was uncovered by the current construction and archaeological work underway in the year 2005. It was part of the expected extension to the NE. Only 5m were uncovered, part of which is situated on Calçada de D. Paio Peres Correia and the other in the ruins of Corte Reais, which is open to the public.This structure consists of large … [Read more...]