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The history of Tavira Castle is much more extensive and ancient than it appears to be. It is believed that the castle that we can visit today was built in the place where, once - still in the Neolithic period – there was a castra.

Over the years, different peoples occupied this area of the country and adapted the current monument to their needs and habits. Phoenicians, Greeks, Galo-Celts, Carthaginians, Romans, and Muslims passed through here and eventually left their mark on Tavira, strategically chosen for its geographical location. Tavira - nicknamed At-Tabira at the time - along with Faro (called Santa Maria al-Harum) and Silves (at the time, Silb), was one of the main villages of the Algarve, and therefore its history is very rich.

The bases of the defensive system of the castle were built during the Muslim presence, but the monument was repaired and reinforced after the Christian Reconquest - the king D. Dinis integrated Tavira into his policy of strengthening the lines of defense of the territory and, therefore, the city gained an even greater importance. However, the Tavira Castle was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1755 and, therefore, ended up losing its strategic function.

Currently, the Tavira Castle is a monument that reveals many centuries of history. During the visit we are presented with a wonderful view of the city and although it is not intact, nowadays it is still possible to see parts of the wall, a part of the Moorish fortification called Alcáçova that maintains its medieval characteristics, and the Arco da Misericórdia.

There are also several legends associated with Tavira Castle. The Legend of the Enchanted Moorish states that, in the castle, there is still an enchanted Muslim girl who, every year, on the night of São João, is seen crying about her misfortune when Tavira was conquered by the Christians (her father, the Muslim governor, intended to return to reconquer the city and rescue his daughter, but could not do so). Another legend, also related to The Enchanted Moorish and the night of São João, tells the love story of a Christian knight who climbed the walls to save the enchanted Moorish girl from the curse, but who failed to do so when he could break the spell.

The Legend Of The Seven Knights, in turn, tells us that during a truce between Christians and Muslims, six Christian knights and a Jewish merchant decided to hunt at a site near Tavira, but were murdered by the Muslims. Outraged by the deaths, the Christians put an end to the truce, and gained new strength to conquer Tavira.

Cool Tip: Near the Tavira Castle you will find a fantastic restaurant: it's called A Ver Tavira, and it has a wonderful view and dishes that do not disappoint.