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Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo of Tavira

Largo Abu-Otmane (Abu Osman Square) is where Tavira Castle and Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo both stand in the historical quarter of the city. Current church is a 13th-century Gothic church which was built on the site of an old Muslim mosque in the 13th century. The mosque served its’ purpose as a medina mosque within the city walls. Structural Changes were made to this church after the 1755 Earthquake of Lisbon.

A wonderful view of the Santa Maria Church, seen from the Tavira Castle
A sign for Largo Abu-Otmane (Abu Osman Square)
Exterior of the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
There are no remains of old mosque that used to stand here
Old burial grounds were found here from the Muslim era
Entrance to the church was through a small side door

 

Inside the church there is a plaque marking the tomb of Dom Paio Peres Correia, who won the town back from the Moors (Muslims of Spain and Portugal). Seven Christian knights whose killing by the Muslim, resulted an attack on Tavira by the Christian forces. There are seven crosses mark the death and also tombs of the knights in the church. 

Tomb of Dom Paio Peres Correia, who won the town back from the Moors
Seven crosses represent seven Christian knights killed by the Muslim
These seven crosses mark the tombs of the knights
This one appears to be a tomb but there was no information about it
Inside, there are some impressive works of art
Main altar of the church