Church of St. Mary of the Castle, Tavira - Portugal

On April 2017 I went on holidays to Algarve. I've been to many places and Tavira was where I started to explore this portuguese region. It was also in Tavira that I had a mini postcrossing meeting. Well, it wasn't exactly mini, we were 5 postcroossers, me, Tiago, Celina, Paulo & Ana and Celina's friend. A few days ago Heidi has also meet Paulo and Ana there. 

Every meeting has cards to sign. 5 years ago I send myself a card with the 1st of these Church of St. Mary of the castle cards. It posting it here with a card that Ninocas sent me 2 years before and also Heidi's card. 

© Edição Vistal * Foto © Art & Concept: Gustav A. Wittich

The church of Santa Maria do Castelo, a short stroll from Tavira's Moorish castle, was built in the 13th century on the site of what was probably one of the largest Moorish mosques on The Algarve. It was significantly damaged in the 1755 earthquake and was later re-modelled in Neo-Classical style, although parts of the clock tower with its arched Arabic-style windows and the Gothic stone portal are believed to date from the original 13th century structure.

© Edição Vistal Foto * © ART & CONCEPT: Gustav A. Wittich

The church exterior is painted white and has a bell tower as well as the clock tower which features an unusual oversized clock dating from the early 19th century.

 

© Edição Vistal Foto * © ART & CONCEPT: Gustav A. Wittich

Inside the church are a number of important treasures, including quite a few brightly painted statues and some intricately decorated blue and white azulejo tilework. One of the chapels contains the tombs of seven knights, who, according to legend were ambushed by Moors, precipitating the attack on the city in which Tavira was reconquered. - in: https://www.travel-in-portugal.com