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.