Tavira, in the Eastern Algarve, has a reputation for restoring her many churches. In the years I have been visiting I have marvelled at some of the changes wrought. Still it is a thrill to turn a corner and find another, ripe for renovation. If you look closely at the gallery below, you will see what I mean. Exposed bare plaster scars the walls and alcoves.
Previously I had only been into the gardens, the church being always locked. Just occasionally the gardens would be padlocked too, and I’d feel a sense of deprivation. A quiet bench, the overgrown trees dappling patterns onto ruined walls, somehow they provide a warm and soothing space.
Still, it was a revelation to venture inside this church. First appearances can be deceptive. A curtain veiled the entrance to a side chapel. Stepping through a little cautiously, I was utterly unprepared for the figures that greeted me there.
The Church of São Francisco has met with it’s share of disasters. Since construction in 1272 it has suffered 2 earthquakes (in 1722 and 1755), a landslide in 1843 and a fire in 1881. Perhaps it’s time it had a little luck. Should you find yourself in Tavira and the church happens to be open, please deposit a few coins in the collection box. It may help speed the recovery.
This might not be what Paula had in mind for Traces of the Past this week, but it’s an opportunity to share with you Thursday’s Special.
Thanks for sharing your photographs with us. I feel as if I were standing right next to you as you photographed this amazing church.
That’s a lovely thought, Ruth 🙂 Then we could sit on a bench in the garden and chat.
Now that would be lovely.
wow!!! What an amazing plce!!
It was a complete surprise to get inside, Aletta, and I loved it. 🙂
I can just imagine that!!
Jo, these are breathtaking!! 😀😀 The figures are amazing, so tender in their expressions. The restoration is wonderful but wow, what an undertaking and I’d love to visit and leave some money in the collection box. I’m touched that the churches are being rescued and restored, such love, care and time showered on them – we all gain in the process! 😀
The statues look in great repair but the walls of the church are riddled with saltpetre. Hopefully they can sort it because it’s such a beautiful place. 🙂
Wow! What a find Jo. I love those sculptures in their individual alcoves, it is something I’ve never seen in a church. When we see churches or cathedrals overseas Hubby usually stays outside while I venture in to see the art and how the interior is decorated, it is fascinating. I hope that they get the funding they need to restore that church 🙂
I think they will eventually, Sam. Lots of Tavira’s churches have been restored already. I’ve not seen statues quite like these either. 🙂
Taken right back to Catholic childhood of Mass on Sundays … looking at statues of Saints … The Virgin Mary et al .
Struck some kind of chord long forgotten . Such a beautiful Church … since 1272 really surviving against the odds ! Lovely share Jo .
I seem to be into religion at the minute, Poppy. I’m just finishing off the last of my Nativity scene posts. Must be the time of year 🙂 🙂
Bless you Jo 😉 xx
Oh my that sounds like a very big run of bad luck! Being in Canada I always have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of a building being constructed in the 1200’s! You have captured it beautifully Jo.
Hi Sue 🙂 Just the other day, in the scheme of things 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much.
That is a very beautiful church but sad it has fallen into disrepair. I guess that is a sign of the disrepair in the Christian Church as a whole.
There are more than 20 churches in the town of Tavira, Patrick. Many of them are in good repair and over time the local council has been implementing restoration. It’s an expensive and time consuming business. 🙂
Yes, restoring an old building, or house, is definitely time consuming and expensive. I know this all too well. ☺️
What a beautiful church! I would love to visit it, lots of interesting subject to take picture of too 🙂
Tavira is full of churches, Indah. One day I’ll manage to find my way into all of them. 🙂
I love places like this. Thanks for posting!
My favourite monkey! 🙂 Glad you found something you like.
Grossartige Motive, danke fürs zeigen Jo…
Danke, Ernst und Guten Freitag 🙂 🙂
Surreal and beautiful at the same time Jo!
I know exactly what you mean Rosemay xx
I hope it gets restored, it’s beautiful. However, I Have to say that those life sized statues freak me out, I’m not a fan of Baroque statuary, let alone when they have real human hair!
They are a bit spooky Ana, I have to admit x
The gilded frames around the statuary are so ornate. I’m sure there is a special name for these “frames.” Regardless, very impressive.
I don’t know it either, Gabe. Great family heirlooms to have though!
Churches seem to attract all kinds of people, even pagan witches like me, I can never resist one. I really hope they find enough money to restore this one to glory and it needs to be sooner rather than later. I see that someone else finds the figures creepy, can’t remember where I saw some, perhaps where I saw the Fado, but they give me the heebie jeebies.
Hope your cold clears off for the weekend babe, doing anything exciting? 🙂
They just finished the one by the bombeiros, Gilly, and I haven’t seen it open yet. I’ve loved the gardens of this one ever since we found them, years ago. Such a nice surprise to find it open. 🙂 Nothing much this weekend. James will be home sometime on Sunday for his Monday birthday. Hopefully we’ll have some idea how things stand with the job then. How about my favourite pagan witch? 🙂
Thank You showing this beautiful church. Always when on travel, I visit to churches and admire the art inside them. Our churches are very modest, because parishes are poor.
I’m often astounded at how elaborate the Catholic churches are, Sartenada. I sometimes think that the wealth would be better spent helping the poor but these art works go back and back in time.
It looks very peaceful. What a lovely place to visit 🙂
I was quite in awe! It felt like a privilege to be there. 🙂
Wow, they look so life like. Glad you got to go inside.
Thanks, Jess 🙂 I was so pleased to find it open.
I bet!
They are beautiful, but – am I alone on finding the statues Judy a little creepy?
“just a”! Don’t know who Judy is…….
That’ll be Andy Murray’s mum? No, she’s not creepy at all! 🙂 (can you tell I’ve been watching the tennis down under?)
Ha ha!
Not at all, Anabel! I do too 🙂 Porcelain dolls are a little too human.
I hope I’m not alone , noticing a particular innocent expression on the statues’ faces
This reflects the Portuguese people’s mind , on my opinion….
Your find is extraordinary , thanks for this fabulous share!
I think you’re right Anna. I was amazed to find it xx
Those figures are amazing. And the church is so old, I think there is something lovely about old churches they are comforting. Shame about the earthquakes. I hope you didn’t get a fright when you pulllec back the curtain.
I had no expectation of what I would find, that’s for sure! It was such a peaceful place xx
Having just seen the marvellous film “Silence” these statues of saints had a real relevance for me. They are amazing, as someone else said above, the material looks like porcelain and as though they’d just been manufactured. Almost too realistic. I’m glad you went there and are able to share this with your readers.
I was quite amazed to draw the curtain and find them looking at me, Mari. I’m not familiar with the film? I’ll look out for it. 🙂
What a beautiful place Jo, but certainly in need of a little TLC
Have to put a few pennies in the slot, Sue 🙂 🙂
You know I always like to have a nosy around a church and this is a good one if only for its unexpectedness! They do ornate well in Portugal don’t they? Some of the statues do look very modern, like those porcelain dolls you see – do you know what they are of? Saints? I would love to be sitting on the bench alongside you in the garden, having a natter.
Yes, they’re saints, Jude. Unlike me 🙂 🙂 I said to Meg I don’t have much info on the churches but I can tell you that St. Anne is featured and the sculptures are from 18th century. I’d have to sit on a different bench so as not to infect you 🙂 🙂
Cold? A nice hot toddy is what you need.
I’ll pop round then xx
So simple on the outside and elaborate on the inside. When I was reading your post and looking at the photos, it occurred to me that this church might fit well in the “ambience” category, which is the WordPress photography prompt this week…
You’re right, Liesbet! It probably would 🙂 🙂 That might attract a few more pennies for the restoration too.
I love that they are fixing up things from their past. They are so beautifully made. I am sure you feel peaceful as soon as you step into the church.
The atmosphere was extraordinary Colline. You could hear a pin drop xx
I remember visiting a church when I was in Lisbon and I could sense the reverence from the local people who were praying.
A beautiful post. The lead figure in the last lot of photos has such a modern face. How recent are the statues? I’d love to sit in the garden, breathing in tranquillity. Can I join you?
On the subject of church restoration did you see walkingwoman / Iceland penny’s recent posts on church restoration in the Andes? I think I owe my pleasure in her posts to Monday Walk. So thank you.
They’re described as ancient Gothic in the text, Meg, but it’s quite hard to track down facts on local stuff. I’ll have a look later. 🙂
I don’t know Iceland Penny! Will have to look her up too. Off to provide some lunch for Mick.
I’m hopeless and suffering from attention deficit. I’m slowly registering that you’re viral; that my sickness if not the only one in the universe. I hope you fight it off quickly with Jo vigour. I’ve never been a fan of broken shifts, and that’s how our childcare is panning out. I’ll blame it for not sending curative hugs sooner. There’s a truckload of them now.
Jude asked as well! 18th century if I read this correctly. 🙂
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/D98D67EE-85C6-44F7-BC4D-37CABE7997F3
What a spectacular church, Jo. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to be inside. Thanks for taking us along!
Quite extraordinary, Jill! I’ve never seen it open before so I was thrilled. 🙂
Good thing you had your camera! 🙂
What a find. Those statues are so lifelike!
They were following me with their eyes. Just a little spooky 🙂 🙂
Fascinating art, wonderful… 🙂
It was quite unexpected when I stepped through the curtain, Drake. 🙂
The statues look almost real. What beautiful handiwork.
My jaw definitely dropped, Carol. The churches there are stunning! 🙂
Stunning . . . . . . I’ve not even been in the garden! On the list now to explore (fingers crossed it will be open when we go) perhaps on the day we try the restaurant you recommended 😀
I had thought that because it’s the right area of town. 🙂 🙂 So much to do, so little time! I’m working my way through some training modules for the RVS and watching the Oz tennis. Have a happy day!
You are a superstar creating a perfect afternoon for us 🙂 thank you x
Love the fact you are multi-tasking! We are huddled indoors today, despite the weather forecasts saying cold but sunny it is freezing and the odd rain shower out there at the moment! Such a change from Tuesday when I was in shorts and Tshirt. Still at least it means I can catch up on emails, posts, blogs and stuff without feeling guilty I am not out exploring 🙂
Truly astonishing, Jo. Thank you for this wonderful photo essay.
There are so many churches in Tavira, Tish! Impossible to keep up with the history of them all. It’s wonderful thought that they are all gradually being restored. I haven’t managed to get inside all of them yet and this one was a huge bonus. 🙂 🙂
For us definitely – bonus-wise.
I really like that last picture Jo!
Thanks, Andrew 🙂 It’s a really amazing chapel. I felt my jaw drop 🙂
Yes, I did, and I am a fan of the Franciscans. It is a beautiful church, Jo. I appreciate it. Thank you for joining the challenge.
I was delighted to find it open and you gave me the perfect opportunity to share, so thank you! 🙂