Meeting in Tavira - Portugal

The meeting in Tavira, Algarve, is a much more recent meeting, it took place by the end of last February. Algarve is way too far for me, well, I was on holidays that week but I wasn't in the country, so I missed one more meeting. Paula, Zé, Vitória, Rita and Ninocas didn't miss it and sent me all these nice cards. 

Photo 2011 Nuno Antunes * Design Ventos Maiores

In traditional architecture, color brightens up the houses. The addition of pigments to whitewash help the corners, the friezes, the cornices and bas-reliefs stand out. Such combinations add elegance and harmony to the buildings. 

 © Michael Howard photography * www.mikehowardphoto.com

Grilled sardines are an institution in the Algarve and are traditionally served with the rough farmhouse bread that is unique to the region.

How to eat grilled Sardines the Algarvean way:

1. Place a grilled sardine on a slice of the bread

2. Without using your hands, chew off the meat on one side of the sardine

3. Flip the fish and eat all the meat on the other side, leaving just the skeleton of the fish. (This is an art and takes a lot of practice.)

4. Replace the skeleton with a fresh sardine and continue in this way until all the fish have been consumed

5. Only then do you eat the delicious oil soaked bread! 

This dish is traditionally served with a “mountain salad” of finely chopped tomatoes, green peppers, onions, sprinkled with oregano and served with oil and vinegar dressing. A veritable feast, even if eaten with knife and fork! - in: http://meravista.com/en/algarve/information/fun-stuff/sardine-festivals-in-the-algarve

 Foto © W. Müller * Art & Concept: G. A. Wittich

Manuel Bivar Garden (former Queen Square) in Faro was already a main square during the Christian conquest and it has always maintained its centrality provided for it has always been linked to administration offices and port activities.

Before the 17th century it already had important buildings around it such as the Hospital and Church of Mercy. In the late 19th century it would change its name to Codfish Garden, due to its shape. Throughout the 18th and 19th century the Customs House and Civil Govern (Central Administration office) are built.

With several alteration to its initial surroundings (establishment of a branch of the Bank of Portugal, a fire department, tax offices) this space is considered the city centre, integrating Faro’s Historic Centre.

This tree lined space is especially used in the summer to host some fairs and cultural manifestations. - in: http://cm-faro.pt/preview.aspx?pageID=5879

 © al-garbdistri

Although the bridge itself is not Roman neither has a Roman origin. It was built when Tavira belonged to al-Andalus (the Islamic Domain of Iberia), most probably in the 2nd half of the 12th century. Then, for a few decades Tavira was an independent commune, before being submitted to the Almohade Empire.

The bridge was a fundamental element of the medieval defence of Tavira and its associated main road, limited with towers in both sides. It had houses on it in the Middle Ages. By 1550 it had apparently a movable wooden floor which could be removed by security reasons. The old bridge collapsed in 1655, being then deeply rebuilt in its present form.

The Bridge, once crossed by cars and people, was partially destroyed again by a flood on the 3rd of December 1989, and restored some time later, but now just pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are allowed. Tavira always managed to maintain its original appearance and yet, evolve in time. - in: http://tavira.algarvetouristguide.com/attractions/the-old-roman-bridge

Foto ©, Art & Concept: Gustav A. Wittich

The Republic Square, located along the river and the old bridge, is the center of Tavira. The Town Hall building is located here. In the center of this square stands the monument to the fighters of the First World War. In the front of the building of the Municipality of Tavira, is the Tourist Office of the Algarve Tourism.