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Islamic Centre of Tavira Museum

The Islamic Centre of Tavira Museum (locally known as Nucleo Islamico) is located close to the Roman Bridge. This museum was opened on 23 February 2012 at the cost of €2 million.

When the former BNU (Banco Nacional Ultramarino) building was first excavated, the archaeologists found that the Moorish wall of the castle formed an integral part of the building. Many pieces were discovered on the site in the 1990s during renovations of a former bank building (BNU). At some stage in the past, sections of the building were used as a hostel.

 

Tavira Islamic Museum
A sign outside the Islamic Centre of Tavira Museum
Dubbed as the 'Caliphate Capital' is a capital of column from the Muslim period
the pot to the left was found at the Parque de Festas, while the cup to the right was found at the former building of Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU)
A round base of a tall lamp is shown to the left, while an inksatnd to the right were found at the Garden of the Moors in Tavira
A 12th century roof tile on display

 

500 years of Muslim rule in Portugal has left a great influence on the agriculture, architecture and culture of the area and Tavira is no exception. Tabira (Arabic name for Tavira) was one of the most important towns in the al-Garb (Portugal). Tavira was the port closest to the Moroccan coast, so trade between two countries flourished. 

One of the biggest hurdle in this museum was that all details of the displays were written in Portuguese. Inside the museum, a short video is shown about the Muslim history of Tavira and how town had looked like in the past.

Being close river and ocean, Muslim Tabira was a fishing town
Fragments of a bowl are put together
An oil lamp from the Muslim era
Nearly all of these items on display are from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries
Broken pieces of pottery from the past
Tabira (Arabic name for Tavira) was one of the most important towns in the al-Garb (Portugal)
Different shapes and sizes of the oil lamps
Small items found in Tavira during excavation - they range from Spindle tips to needles
Round clay pieces and dices were used to play different games in the past

Tavira Vase

One of the most famous items on display is the Tavira Vase, which was found in the old town (BNU). This vessel is made from red clay, the water would run through the channel and then be poured into the interior of the vase through eight of the 14 figurines standing around its edge.

Two armed and mounted warriors with an archer, stand beside a woman on horseback. Two musicians, may represent a wedding ceremony, five animals, four of which remain: a bovine, a camel, a deer, another camel and a lion. A flock of doves is perched on the funnel-neck.

One of the most famous items on display is the Tavira Vase, which was found in the old town (BNU)
This vessel made from red clay
The Tavira vase inside the museum
Remains of the Tavira city wall from the Muslim period, this wall was extended all the way to the castle
When the former BNU (Banco Nacional Ultramarino) building was first excavated, the archaeologists found that the Moorish wall of the castle formed an integral part of the building
these steps were made for The hostel bathrooms

 

In the upper room, there were displays from Mertola which has some encased leaflets in Spanish, Portuguese and English. One of the staff members at the museum told me that if I wanted to feel the real Muslim town, I needed to visit Mertola. Luckily, my next destination was Mertola, in this room, there were information about the Muslim Mertola.  

After exploring this delightful museum, one could imagine how Tavira was prosperous in the past. 

A lustreware bowl from the 12th century and earthen pot is from the 10th century
In the upper room, there were displays from Mertola which has some encased leaflets in Spanish, Portuguese and English
A sign displays information about Muslim Mertola
Items on display in the upper room
A glazed jar from the 13th century and a spittoon from Sacavem
Though broken but still well preserved items on display in the upper room of the Islamic Centre Museum of Tavira
At the bottom left of this photo are the pieces of ceramic imported from Attica, Roman oil lamps and vases
This photo shows how alcaria (village) of Tavira had looked dueing the Taifa Period in the 11th century
During the Almohad period, Tavira expanded and reached its climax - some of the historical landmarks are marked on this map
'From the Crescent to the Cross' Tavira was taken by the Christian forces on 11 June, 1242 and it's main mosque was turned into a church