Santa Maria do Castelo Church
Santa Maria do Castelo Church
4
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Built in the place of the former mosque after the conquest by Dom Paio Peres Correia, it goes up to the XIII century. After the 1755 earthquake it was rebuilt by the bishop Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar. The façade presents neo-classic pilasters, splitting in the central cloth the gothic doorway with four archivolts containing vegetarian chapiters, remains of the original building. The inner part, a Latin cross longitudinal plant, has got three naves with lateral chapels, especially the «Senhor dos Passos» (Manueline Art) and a place of honour divided into three parts. The Chancel has got in its lateral walls the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and the seven knights killed by the Moors. The collateral chapel of the Gospel keeps a gothic arch that relies on columns with vegetarian chapiters. The Santa Maria Church has been classified as a National monument by a June 1910 decree.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
139 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
58
Average
26
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Nuno Domingues
34 contributions
Sep 2020
The proce is very high and there is nothing more to see than what you can find in a free entrance church.
Inside the church there are several people asking for money or to buy things.
It was really bad. Until now it is by far my worst experience.
ARTgilão TAVIRA and Santa Casa da Misericórdia find a way to raise money from nothing and are exploring tourists and giving a bad name to the catholicism and the Tavira city.
Inside the church there are several people asking for money or to buy things.
It was really bad. Until now it is by far my worst experience.
ARTgilão TAVIRA and Santa Casa da Misericórdia find a way to raise money from nothing and are exploring tourists and giving a bad name to the catholicism and the Tavira city.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bom Dia!
Agradecemos desde já, a sua visita!
Esperamos voltar a ver-nos em Breve!
Respeitamos a sua opinião!
Com os melhores cumprimentos!
Written April 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,315 contributions
Feb 2020
With 20+ churches, Tavira’s religious and spiritual needs are well supplied. This is one of the bigger churches and has the extra attraction of a bell tower you can climb and a very small but very good museum/art exhibition.
You can buy a single pass to see this and 2 others (Misericordia and Santa Maria do Castelo). For €7 you can get entry into all 3 including the bell tower and museum and an information brochure at each church. They are all within 2-3 min of each other and you can do them in any order. Just ask for the pass at the first church you go to.
The church was built in 13th century. Inside, you’ll find some beautiful panels of traditional Portugese blue and white azulejo tiles picturing biblical scenes like the Last Supper. It is also the place where Christian knights, killed by the Moors, were laid to rest. In the main chapel Dom Paio Peres Correia, a Grand-Master of the Military Order of Santiago and hero of the Reconquista is buried. Alongside him, 7 of his knights who died in the 1242 battles are also buried.
The bell tower with its over-sized clock face is a local landmark and is well worth the climb. The views are amazing but be warned, the steps are narrow and steep (although there is a metal hand rail). They are also covered in an inordinate amount of bird poo. I’m not sure what’s going on with the birds’ diets here but you really won’t be able to avoid treading in it.
Don’t overlook the tiny but excellent museum/gallery. I nearly missed the entry door behind the gift shop. It is very well set out and has clear labels and information. It also has the strangest paintings of baby Jesus, I've ever seen. It's a face only a mother could love - see photo.
NOTES:
* The entry door is around the back so check there before you assume the church is closed.
* Toilets are beside the bell tower stairs
* The Tavira castle ruins are directly opposite so you can see both at the same time.
You can buy a single pass to see this and 2 others (Misericordia and Santa Maria do Castelo). For €7 you can get entry into all 3 including the bell tower and museum and an information brochure at each church. They are all within 2-3 min of each other and you can do them in any order. Just ask for the pass at the first church you go to.
The church was built in 13th century. Inside, you’ll find some beautiful panels of traditional Portugese blue and white azulejo tiles picturing biblical scenes like the Last Supper. It is also the place where Christian knights, killed by the Moors, were laid to rest. In the main chapel Dom Paio Peres Correia, a Grand-Master of the Military Order of Santiago and hero of the Reconquista is buried. Alongside him, 7 of his knights who died in the 1242 battles are also buried.
The bell tower with its over-sized clock face is a local landmark and is well worth the climb. The views are amazing but be warned, the steps are narrow and steep (although there is a metal hand rail). They are also covered in an inordinate amount of bird poo. I’m not sure what’s going on with the birds’ diets here but you really won’t be able to avoid treading in it.
Don’t overlook the tiny but excellent museum/gallery. I nearly missed the entry door behind the gift shop. It is very well set out and has clear labels and information. It also has the strangest paintings of baby Jesus, I've ever seen. It's a face only a mother could love - see photo.
NOTES:
* The entry door is around the back so check there before you assume the church is closed.
* Toilets are beside the bell tower stairs
* The Tavira castle ruins are directly opposite so you can see both at the same time.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agradecemos desde já, a sua visita e a ótima descrição, esperamos poder contar novamente com a sua visita em breve!
Melhores cumprimentos!
Written April 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PJaneS
Bath, UK418 contributions
Feb 2020
A beautiful church, dating from the 13th C but the central part had been rebuilt after the earthquake in the late 18thC. It ws a delight to climb to the top of the bell tower to see spectacular views. Only 3euros to visit. The old side chapels were lovely
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bom Dia!
Agradecemos desde já, a sua visita!
Esperamos voltar a ver-nos em Breve!
Com os melhores cumprimentos!
Written April 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
James S
Canada40 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
A nice walk up the hill to a peaceful historical church with amazing views from the bell tower. Well worth a visit!
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good afternoon.
From now on, thank you very much for your visit!
We hope you will visit us again soon!
Best Regards
Written April 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andžela
Lithuania1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Family
I strongly recommend to visit this increadible place. It’s very authentic chuch with interesting history. Ask more in the reception, the guys is very helpfull and will tell you a lot of the church history.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, your visit! We hope to see you again soon!
Thank you!
Written October 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
D L
London, UK143 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Beautiful church, the gentleman in reception was very helpful.
The views from the bell tower were lovely. We enjoyed our visit.
The views from the bell tower were lovely. We enjoyed our visit.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, your visit! We hope to see you again soon!
Thank you!
Written June 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charlotte B
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK53 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Only €3 for a look around the church, museum and bell tower. Lovely church, very peaceful. Lovely staff. View from the bell tower is beautiful. Would recommend.
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, your visit! We hope to see you again soon!
Thank you!
Written May 30, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elizabeth
Geneva, Switzerland19 contributions
Sep 2019
Maria’s Tuk Tuk helped us visit this church by the beach. Amazing view of the sea. Would love to come back.
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Elizabeth thank you for your review.
Written February 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JerseyLB
St. Helier, UK547 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Not being funny but being all around the world, I never never paid to enter in a church!
I find very frustrating especially if you are religious and want to stop to pray..
This should be free. Is that the new church? God would be horrify!
However the church entrance was very difficult to find and it is very small inside with no much to see.
The view on top of the tower is ok but again what view?
the lady receptionist... not very plaisant at all.
Shame as I feel I don't want to visit anymore church.
I find very frustrating especially if you are religious and want to stop to pray..
This should be free. Is that the new church? God would be horrify!
However the church entrance was very difficult to find and it is very small inside with no much to see.
The view on top of the tower is ok but again what view?
the lady receptionist... not very plaisant at all.
Shame as I feel I don't want to visit anymore church.
Written June 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good afternoon.
From now on, thank you very much for your visit!
We hope you will visit us again soon!
Best Regards
Written April 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Raquel_Guerreiro
Tavira, Portugal8 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
This is the most beautiful church in Tavira. Located close to the castle, the walk there is a joy itself.
The church is very old, and has been reconstructed over the centuries. It has D. Paio Peres Correia (a templar portuguese hero) and his seven knights burried there. Filled with templar simbols and portuguese history, it is well worth the very cheap admission ticket. All funds revert to the maintenance of this unique building. You can also go up to the bell tower and admire the most scenic view in tavira.
If you want to "visit" for free, you can go to mass on Sundays, given in English. During the christmas season there are also choirs singing, where you can appreciate the building's excelent acustic.
The church is very old, and has been reconstructed over the centuries. It has D. Paio Peres Correia (a templar portuguese hero) and his seven knights burried there. Filled with templar simbols and portuguese history, it is well worth the very cheap admission ticket. All funds revert to the maintenance of this unique building. You can also go up to the bell tower and admire the most scenic view in tavira.
If you want to "visit" for free, you can go to mass on Sundays, given in English. During the christmas season there are also choirs singing, where you can appreciate the building's excelent acustic.
Written August 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Santa Maria do Castelo Church Information
Excellent Reviews | 49 |
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Very Good Reviews | 58 |
Santa Maria do Castelo Church Photos | 258 |