Church of Saint Mary of the Castle, parish church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Faro > Tavira > Tavira > Vila-A-Dentro

Location

The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo is located in Tavira, in the historical area known as Vila-A-Dentro. It stands on an elevated site, which once constituted the original nucleus of the settlement within the city walls. This position offers a distinctive perspective on the city's urban surroundings.

Historical and Architectural Legacy

This temple, one of Tavira's oldest, was built in the 13th century, after the city's conquest from the Moors, at the initiative of D. Paio Peres Correia. It replaced the old mosque and, although originally of Gothic design, it was significantly altered following the 1755 earthquake. Its reconstruction, at the end of the 18th century, by Bishop D. Francisco Gomes do Avelar, gave it its current appearance, where Gothic elements, such as the main portal with four pointed arch archivolts and vegetal capitals, blend with the robustness of the neoclassical lines of the façade. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

Memories and Devotion

The interior of the church holds profound memories of Tavira's history. Near the main altar rest the mortal remains of D. Paio Peres Correia, the master of the Order of Santiago who led the conquest of the city. Beside him lie, according to tradition, the seven Christian knights who lost their lives in an episode that preceded the reconquest, sealing Tavira's fate.

An image of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira also enriches this space, recalling the Constable's connection to the city, namely through the presence of D. João I and D. Nuno himself in Tavira, after the capture of Ceuta. A monument near the temple also marks the Infante D. Henrique's connection to Tavira.

Artistic Details and Recent Discoveries

Upon entering the interior, various artistic details are revealed. The Chapel of Senhor dos Passos stands out for its Manueline design, visible in the polynervate vault, decorated with heraldic elements and motifs of the period. In another area, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament features its 18th-century tile coverings, in blue and white tones, illustrating biblical and rural scenes.

The sacristy also deserves attention, with its 1645 lavabo and 18th-century tile panels. Recent discoveries, during restoration work, revealed hidden elements in the main altarpiece, including wooden walls with painted "trompe l'oeil" murals and a plinth with steps, testifying to its complex history and the various phases of transformation of the sacred space.

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