These two types of population result from two specific types of ownership and different production systems which, in turn, lead to different forms of integration in the landscape. On the mountain, the settlements mainly correspond to a highly cut up tenure system, with the exception of few larger estates which chiefly belong to wealthy landowners. On the shoreline, where the settlements are more scattered, to each lot usually corresponds a single family house, in support to the estate.

In any case, the implantation of the farm houses and other buildings, whether it is on the mountain or on the shoreline, is directly related to the characteristics of the territory that is explored and on which it is based, the determining location factors being the slope, the orientation, the climate, the soil, the structure of the estate and the socioeconomic conditions of the place.

The traditional rural mountain architecture is, just as on the coastline, a projection of the territory where it has been situated and an indisputable architectonic evidence of the landscape.

As a general rule, the location of a farmhouse or village implied the existence of a number of prerequisites. The closeness to a brook was essential to the survival of the occupants, the water being used for human and animal consumption and for irrigation of the vegetable plots. The vegetable plots were located, with very few exceptions, next to the brook, in the fertile areas where earth had been deposited, while the houses were located further up, on sterile ground and on rock, on top of the hill. It is customary that such elevations are surrounded by other bigger ones, thus protecting the agglomeration of houses from the strong and cold winter winds.

Although it is not always obvious, you can see a certain logic in the location of the different functional valences of each farmhouse, particularly in the case of the smaller ones. In this way and taking as a representative example the Beliche de Cima farmhouse, on the Tavira Mountain, one can see that the houses have been built on the higher end of the agglomeration, with the rocky outcrop as a supporting base for the walls, thus keeping them dry and far from the waterlines. On a landing located further down you will find the barns and the arbours for the animals, which manure, used as fertilizer, is deposited on dunghills placed further down, very close to the vegetable plots that are located next to the brook. The pigpens have been sited more out of the way, thus sparing the village from the unpleasant odour. The hierarchy and functional organization of the implantation of this village is therefore very obvious, showing great intelligence in the utilisation and rationalisation of the space and of the existing resources.

In the larger nuclei, this organisation is not so perceivable and the different functions that initially emerge separated in small sub-nuclei, get more blended as the agglomeration grows, giving rise to more complex settlements.

Post from: Tavira Guide

The Farm Houses of the Sotavento

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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 the past but had failed to accomplish because of the magnanimous wave of protests it had caused and which united tradesmen, manufacturers and politicians, having even led the local authorities to resign from office. No one wished to face such an event again. This time, however, the municipality receded in the chorus of protests, letting the public deal with the sentiment of disagreement caused by the deprivation of the music band. The centre of the city experienced tense days, which were of no use to the supporters of the musicians remaining in Tavira, as the transfer to Faro did, in fact, take place.

Little could the mayor at the time, António Padinha, do to lessen those uncomfortable events, except trying to convince the electorate that another type of musical formation would be created in replacement of the Infantry Regiment Band, which costs would be born by the city council’s funds, and fish canneries would be set up in Tavira. This was not a new idea, it had already been discussed in 1911 during a meeting of the Centro Republicano, however the situation advised that the idea be shared and used to the credit of their political image and in favour of Tavira’s economic and industrial potential.

At the time, Vila Real de Santo António was one of the main fish cannery centres of Algarve. The tuna captured off Tavira was sold at the local fish auction or processed in one of the fish canneries located along the marginal avenue. This scenario had a profound impact on the pride and business of the fishing companies as well as on the floating income and profits that the fisheries provided.
In May 1917, after the two fish processing plants Balsense and Tavirense had started to operate, there seemed to be no point in transporting the fish caught off Tavira to other locations, as the population had already been through the bad experience of the Regimental Band having been directed to Faro.

Article of: Marco Lopes
Department for Urban Patrimony and Rehabilitation Tavira Municipality

Post from: Tavira Guide

Tavirense and Balsense Fish Canneries

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“Tavira: Sea heritages” analyses the relation between the city and the sea from a chronological point of view, with information and education concerns, an exhibition developed from the archaeological remains and artistic items, charts and maps, tri-dimensional models and multimedia items.

The exhibit will describe the physical and territorial changes brought about by the hydrodynamics of the estuary and the mutations of the barrier islands, human mobilities that led to the founding of the city (the first projective models of the Phoenician and Turdetan Tavira), evolution and special architectonic elements, local economies (fishing, salt pans, fish preserves…), trade routes between Asia, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe that left their marks on the city, maritime religiousness as well as the new functions of the sea brought by the 20th Century. Images and films will be presented.

This exhibition will pave way for the future City Museum, involving specialists from different scientific areas (geographers, archaeologists, art and urban historians, sociologists, architects, model makers, film directors…) as well as many testimonials of people linked to the sea.

Inauguration on the 25th of October, on display until June 2009.

Post from: Tavira Guide

Tavira: Sea heritages

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1. Tavira, a journey through Art and History (part 2) The Palácio da Galeria is the city’s most important civil building. It was remodeled during the 18th century under the [...]...

Lavishly decorated in Rococo style, the Church of the Third Order of Carmo is of particular interest due to its gilt-carved retables and the Illusionist painting on the chancel ceiling. Tavira’s military tradition is clearly visible in the coastline fortifications and the Atalaia Barracks, built on the orders of D. Maria I in 1795, as a result of the need to reinforce the city’s defenses in the light of approaching attacks.

From the 19th century, we may appreciate the “iron architecture” at the Ribeira Market and the Coreto
Garden, which constituted a new area for socialising in the city. Over the last years, the recuperation and conversion of the Convent of Our Lady of Grace into a pousada (Architect João Campos) and the conversion of the former prison into the Álvaro de Campos Municipal Library (Architect Carrilho da Graça) deserve a special mention.

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Tavira, a journey through Art and History (part 2)

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A number of writers have drawn attention to the city’s “oriental atmosphere”, unique to the region. The influence of the old port?

Visitors will find the remains of Phoenician walls in the open air to the rear of the Tourist Office. These will give rise to the Tavira Museum’s Phoenician Section. A series of “holy wells” dedicated to underground divinities can be visited in the atrium of the Palácio da Galeria.

Islamic Tavira will be made known at a section scheduled to open in the forthcoming months and where the famous “Tavira vase” will be exhibited. For the time being, apart from some 12th century Islamic wall coverings, a museum exhibit of an Almohad neighborhood can be seen at the Pousada/ Convento da Graça.

Tavira Castle, home to many alcaides and Christian governors, now has a landscaped garden, affording a panoramic view over the city, the river and the ocean.

St. Mary’s Church, built in the 13th century, was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, based on a neoclassic project by Italian Francisco Fabri, who traveled from the Algarve to Lisbon to build the Ajuda Palace.

The portal of the Misericórdia Church, built by master stonemason André Pilarte, who worked on the Jerónimos Monastery, and considered the most noteworthy example of Renaissance architecture in the Algarve, features imaginative Italian-style motives.

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Tavira, a journey trough Art and History (part 1)

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Tavira Medieval

05 July * 02 August * 06 September
Urban route that explains the fortified walls from the Islamic Period. From the Christian Period, two “neighbourhoods” will be visited: Mouraria Arab Quarters and the S. Francisco Convent.

Tavira of the Discoveries

12 July * 09 August * 13 September
At the end of the Middle Ages the city expands the walls and approaches the river and the sea – it is the beginning of the Discoveries, in whose process Tavira played a crucial role. What has changed in the city? How did the Manuelino style appear and later the Renaissance come about?

Baroque Tavira

19 July * 16 August * 20 September
From the 17th century, the churches changed their interiors into “treasures of gold and porcelain”. How did the new trend manifest itself outside the churches? Why is the urban landscape of Tavira dotted with towers and domes? How are the Baroque shapes and forms reflected in the city’s convents and palaces?

Contemporary Tavira

26 July * 23 August * 27 September
In 19th century Tavira, the construction of the Jardim do Coreto (Bandstand Garden), a place where one would go only to stroll, to See and be Seen! marks the committing of a space associated with new social habits. This is the starting point for a route through 20th century architecture where we come face to face with the “confrontation” between modernist architecture and the so called “português suave” architecture.

Organized by:
Palacio da Galeria
Museu Municipal de Tavira

Start: 6:30 pm
Exceptionally, on 5 July, the visit will start at 5:30 pm
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Meeting Point: Palacio da Galeria/ MMT
Maximum recommended: 40 people
Guide: Rita Manteigas – Art Historian
Free

Informations:
Serviço Educativo do Palacio da Galeria/ MMT
Tel: +351 281 320 500 (ext. 324)
edu.museus[at]cm-tavira.pt

Post from: Tavira Guide

Come and learn about the history of Tavira!

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The Tuna Run – Tavira Portugal

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Since ancient times olive oil has been produced in Tavira; this activity, which played an important role in the dynamisation of the local economy, continues up to this day, although at present times with more advanced technology and increased production capacity. It is therefore no wonder that all the districts’ oil mills, that had been set up in a considerable number from the mountain to the city, were equipped in the 1940′s with modern machinery and adapted to the new realities of the trade. There was even in the vicinity of the Porta Nova a curious concentration of such establishments, which not only proved this area of the city’s appetence for trade and industrial purposes but also that the production of olive oil was a business that was worth the risk. José Joaquim Ferreira owned an oil mill in the rua dos Fumeiros de Diante, while Maria Chaves Ortega was in charge of an oil mill located in the rua dos Fumeiros Detrás; the owners of these mills were notified in 1943 by the Inspectorate-General Agricultural Industries and Trade to pay the corresponding operating licences.

After the “remodeling” works carried out, having in view the modernization of the production systems, the Porta Nova oil mill was opened in October 1947, under the management of José Francisco da Encarnação. The editorial office of the local newspaper Povo Algarvio, which in a overjoyed tone praises the initiative, informs that the recently created oil mill was fitted with four hydraulic presses and had the capacity to produce an average of 1600 litres of olive oil per day.

Hardly any other oil mills in the surroundings were capable, in the 40′s, of competing with the novelty and innovative character of the industrial equipment set up in the Porta Nova, reason why the Povo Algarvio newspaper considered it to be the best example in the region.

Article of MARCO LOPES
Department of Urban Patrimony and Rehabilitation of the Tavira Municipality

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Tavira, Porta-Nova: The old olive oil mill

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• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 1 of 3)
• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 2 of 3)
• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 3 of 3)

At the advent of modern times, the city of Tavira witnessed great vigor and development which dwindled when the course of the Gilão River was diverted. The movements of armies departing for the conquests in North Africa and in defense of the areas which were under threat contributed much to this splendor. These factors helped Tavira to very quickly become the chief region of the Algarve, since it served as a port of call for all [ships] and a departure point for passengers and goods from the region, which included lots of honey, wax, leather goods, dried fish, dates, horses and livestock, among others, which brought great wealth to the land.

Commerce and the conquest campaigns, as well as the almadravas (traditional tuna fishing craft or armações do atum) brought great economic prosperity to the Algarve, but also a big problem: pirates and privateering. Boats, almadravas and villages became attractive, often being soft targets. In 1577, Brother João de S. José, author of Corografia do Reino do Algarve (Chorology of the Kingdom of the Algarve), described the instability in Tavira due to enemies who often carried out exercises on this coastline, which they [the noblemen residing in Tavira] watched over day and night in summertime, with their feet in stirrups and a lance in their hand. The incursions carried out into enemy territory by the Berbers were frequent and violent between the months of April and September, and were aimed at the following: obtaining agricultural products and tuna. Sometimes people were captured and reduced to lavery.

According to Valdemar Coutinho, what forced the Portuguese to take more defensive than offensive measures from the XVIth century onwards was above all the political and religious attitudes in Magreb. Religious leaders linked to a Zawiya (a type of convent), with great power over the people, incited political leaders to Yihad (jihad) against the Christians of North Africa and against the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, through attacks by privateers and pirates, which had devastating effects on the coastal populations.

Post from: Tavira Guide

Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 2 of 3)

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• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 1 of 3)
• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 2 of 3)
• Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 3 of 3)

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 effectiveness, more or less in step with the military innovations which threatened them and especially conditioned by the political and economic stability of a country whose nerve centre was too far away.

In the municipality of Tavira, there are various examples of coastal defensive structures. However, of all the known structures on the coastline, only three have survived. The others were lost in time (due to their abandonment when their defensive qualities became obsolete), and are only known due to their having been recorded in historical texts. The oldest of the three structures is the circular tower at the site of Torre d’Aires, which was followed by the construction of Forte de Rato and Forte de S. João em Cabanas.

Post from: Tavira Guide

Route 2: The Defense of the coastline against attacks from the Sea (part 1 of 3)

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