Castle of Tavira, Medieval castle in Tavira, Portugal
Castelo de Tavira sits on a hilltop with two standing towers and thick stone walls that look down over the Gilão River valley and the city below. The elevated position provides wide views of the landscape from the defensive ramparts.
Fortifications existed on this location since ancient times, though the structures visible today were built during the Moorish period around the 10th century. The 1755 earthquake caused severe damage that reshaped what visitors see now.
The castle grounds hold tombs of knights connected to Tavira's Christian conquest, serving as a physical reminder of the military figures who shaped the city's medieval past. These burials make the site feel like a sacred memorial to that era.
The site welcomes visitors every day with no entrance fee, making it simple to include in your itinerary. The climb to the top of the walls requires some effort, but the path is generally manageable for most visitors.
During the cholera outbreak of 1832, the grounds served as an emergency burial site for plague victims, a haunting chapter in the castle's story. This grim use reflects the hardship that struck the region beyond military or political events.
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