Freemaps

The Castle of Tavira has its origins in the construction of a Phoenician wall between the 8th and 7th centuries BC.

At the end of the 10th century or the beginning of the 11th century, the Muslims took the village of Tavira and built the Castle on top of the Santa Maria hill. One of its functions would be to protect the valley of the river Gilão, which allowed the connection by boat between the two banks, before the construction of the bridge.

After the Christians conquered the city, works were carried out on the walled enclosure in the reigns of D. Afonso III (1248-1279) and D. Dinis (1279-1325).

The castle of Tavira goes through the Modern Age reaching the contemporary era in a state of disrepair and without attractive infrastructures (such as the palace of the Mayor).

In 1938 the City Council of Tavira acquires the land of the castle, from the initiative the Jardim do Castelo was born.