Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo

Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
Near Largo Detraz dos Muros rises the Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo.

It is said that it occupies the site of an ancient mosque, built in the 13th century, but of the original construction there only remains and Arab window, and probably the actual bell-tower.

It exibits one of the most representative and beautiful Gothic doorways, profusely ornamented.

On the façade, various elements of the same period can be observed, such as the cornice with gargoyles and an ogive-shaped window.

Inside there are three naves and one must mention the tombs, in the main chapel, of Dom Paio Peres Pereira and of his seven knights of the Order of Santiago (St James), legendary figures who fought the Moors, reconquering the town, and are said to have died in a treacherous ambush.

St Mary´s Church preserves in this way the memory of a past as old as Tavira´s own history.

Of the various chapels the most outstanding are those of the Santíssimo (Blessed Sacrament; 18th century), of das Almas (Souls; 18th century) and of Senhor dos Passos (Calvary of the Lord), of Manueline origin and exibiting glazed tiles from the 17th century and a carved wood altar piece from the 18th century.

The stunning panels of decorated tiles and an image of Our Lady from the 18th century are also worth admiring.