Artgilão Tavira

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Tavira > Tavira

Location

Artgilão Tavira is located in the city of Tavira, specifically in the area known as Vila-A-Dentro. This area is integrated into the urban fabric of the locality, which facilitates access for visitors exploring the center of Tavira. Its position allows for a direct connection to the city's historical and cultural environment.

An Encounter with Religious Heritage

Artgilão Tavira is an initiative dedicated to the conservation and sharing of the city's valuable religious heritage. Through its work, this project makes some of the most significant temples and sacred art collections in the locality accessible to visitors. It thus provides a deeper understanding of the religious history and culture that have shaped the region over the centuries. It represents a continuous effort in safeguarding and presenting the local identity, which is intrinsically linked to faith and art.

The Emblematic Churches

Among the religious spaces that Artgilão Tavira helps to showcase, some of the city's most important churches stand out. The Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo, for example, dates back to the 13th century, built on the site of an old mosque. This temple underwent significant structural alterations after the 1755 earthquake. Inside, it is possible to observe carved altarpieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as various pieces of religious imagery and paintings.

Another point of interest is the Mother Church of Santiago, also founded in the 13th century and built upon the remains of an ancient Muslim building. In turn, the Church of São Paulo, or Nossa Senora da Ajuda, dating from 1606, is a notable example of "plain" architecture in the city, having undergone some interior and exterior transformations during the 18th century.

The Sacred Art Exhibition Center

At the Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo, visitors can discover an exhibition center dedicated to sacred art. This exhibition comprises a compilation of artistic pieces of great historical and devotional value, originating from various chapels and churches in and around the city. The exhibition covers a vast period, from the 15th to the 20th century, and includes a diversity of categories.

Here you can find sculptures, mostly in wood, goldsmithery with pieces in silver and other metals, liturgical furniture, paintings, and vestments. This collection offers a rich perspective on the evolution of religious art in the region and highlights the importance of preserving this heritage for present and future generations.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt