Castle of Tavira

Early history Although the early human occupation of the region dates back to prehistoric times, an archaeological campaign undertaken in 1997 revealed a Phoenician wall of section dating from the eighth century BC. Pretending that the city had been conquered by a Castilian Military Order, Alfonso X of Castile claimed it for himself, coming to impose siege and conquer it in 1252. The following year, a treaty was signed by which Alfonso III of Portugal (1248–1279) would marry Afonso X's daughter and, if that union resulted in a son who would turn seven, his maternal grandfather would give him the gift of the Algarve. Since the conditions of this legislation were fulfilled in 1264, Afonso X delivered the Algarve to Afonso III by letter of 20 September, set in Seville. Because of this act, the Portuguese sovereign granted foral letters to various Algarvian villages, the first of which Tavira in August 1266. Under the reign of King Dinis (1279–1325), the castle was repaired and reinforced and the village fence expanded around the year 1292. The sovereign, by Royal Letter of 15 April 1303, extended the privileges of the residents, preventing their property from being seized or sold except for debts with the Crown. 18th century to modern day Later, in the context of the Portuguese Restoration War, John VI of Portugal (1640–1656) confirmed all the privileges granted to Tavira by his predecessors, determining works to modernize the medieval castle, reinforcing its structure and adapting it to the shots of the then modern artillery. The defense of the village was complemented, in 1672, by the beginning of the construction of the São João da Barra de Tavira Fortress, in Gomeira, bordering the Gilão river in 1717. In the 18th century, the castle's structure was severely damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which certainly contributed to the fact that, in the following centuries, the defensive perimeter of the settlement was dismantled to a great extent. The Tavira Castle walls are classified as a National Monument by decree published on 16 May 1939. == Architecture ==

The walls of Tavira show various construction stages, the oldest of which dating back to the Almoravid period in the late eleventh century or early twelfth century. Although difficult to identify, it is believed to have been integrated by an alcove in the southeast angle and by a walled enclosure oriented in the north–south direction, both of modest dimensions. This initial structure was reformed in the Almohad period, when it acquired the main elements that have survived to the present day, from which remains of rammed-earth walls survive. In the area of the current Praça da República, next to the Overseas National Bank building, an old horseshoe arch door was found, associated, in its origin, with a defensive tower. In the area of the current alcáçova, an albarrã tower still remains, multifaceted and facing south, detached from the other structures. From the conquest by the Christians, a new constructive stage took place, giving it the oval plant still identifiable today, which, in the Low Middle Ages, reached about five hectares, a considerable surface for the time and which attests to the importance of the settlement. From this period, interventions carried out under the reigns of D. Afonso III and Denis of Portugal are noteworthy, believed to date from the latter the remains identified in the grounds of Pensão Castelo, as well as the original configuration of the D. Manuel Gate, in a broken arch still in Gothic style. In the passage to the Modern Age, this door became the main axis of passage between the interior and exterior of the walls, which is why the arms of this sovereign are inscribed on it. The fence then had 7 doors: Fernão Mendes, Mouraria, Postigo, Feição, Vila Fria, D. Manuel and Porta Nova. == Legends ==

The legends of the Moorish castle of Tavira Local tradition states that, in the castle, there is an enchanted Moorish who, every year, on the night of Saint John's Eve, appears to mourn his destiny. She would be the daughter of Aben-Fabila, the Moorish governor who, when Tavira was conquered by Christians, disappeared by magic arts, after enchanting her daughter. It is said that he intended to return to regain the city and thus rescue his daughter, but he never succeeded. == References ==