Tavira churches receive investment of over 2 million

The churches of Santa Maria do Castelo, São Francisco, and Carmo, in Tavira, will be rehabilitated through three protocols representing a municipal investment of over 2 million euros.

The municipality of Tavira, aware of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage, as well as its civic duty to value the reflection of history in collective memory and promote cultural tourism, signed three protocols aimed at preserving its built heritage, particularly religious heritage. This celebration aims to conserve, rehabilitate, and enhance the Churches of Santa Maria do Castelo, São Francisco, and Nossa Senhora do Carmo, with a total investment of over €2 million.

Parish Church of Santa Maria do Castelo The first protocol, signed with ESTAMO – Participações Imobiliárias SA, Património Cultural IP and the Fábrica da Igreja Paroquial de Santa Maria do Castelo, aims to rehabilitate the Parish Church, classified as a National Monument since June 16, 1910. This temple, located in the heart of Tavira's historic center, represents one of the city's architectural landmarks and a crucial element for regional religious tourism.

The local authority (contracting authority) is responsible for identifying sources of funding within the scope of Portugal 2030, preparing studies and implementation projects, applying for EU and national funds, contracting specialist providers, coordinating safety on site and supervising all work.

ESTAMO is financing the intervention up to 800 thousand euros, with implementation scheduled in two phases until the end of 2027, while Património Cultural IP provides specialized technical support and issues the legally required opinions.

Church of Saint Francis The second protocol was signed with the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis/Secular Franciscan Order – Fraternity of Tavira for the rehabilitation of the Church of Saint Francis and the ruins of the former convent, considered one of the most prominent buildings in medieval Algarve. The heritage complex, currently undergoing classification, includes the adjacent cemetery and several artistic elements of historical value, notably the sacristy with its Gothic vault and influences from the art of 15th-century Batalha.

Under this agreement, the municipality also undertakes to submit applications for European and national funding to finance architectural and structural renovation works, executing the interventions as the contracting authority and project owner. Within this framework, on July 15, 2025, the municipality submitted an application to the Algarve 2030 Operational Program, under notice code ALGARVE-2024-34, for the project "Renovation of the Church of the former Convent of São Francisco," an estimated investment cost of €1,268,562.76, benefiting from a 60% financing rate.

The proposed rehabilitation intervention includes the general treatment of the roofs, facades, courtyards, bell tower and surrounding walls, ensuring a comprehensive architectural and structural requalification of the heritage complex.

In return, under the protocol, the Franciscan Order guarantees access to the rehabilitated facilities to pursue the defined purposes, as well as their inclusion, for a minimum period of ten years, in religious and cultural tourism itineraries, contributing to the dynamism of local tourism and the preservation of collective memory.

Carmo Church The third protocol was established with the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for urgent conservation and repair work on the upper span and portico of the main façade of the Carmo Church, classified as a Property of Public Interest since 2013. This temple, due to the architectural monumentality of the building and the quality of the artistic expressions that make up its collection, constitutes a heritage element of reference for the people of Tavira and visitors.

The municipality has committed to contributing up to €36,900, plus VAT. The municipality will oversee and oversee the project, preparing a final report for submission to the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) – Culture Unit.

The Third Order of Carmel assumes full responsibility for carrying out the work, communicating with the relevant authorities and submitting financial execution reports, with an automatically renewable one-year execution period.

These protocols are part of a comprehensive municipal policy to enhance the vast religious heritage of Tavira, a city home to approximately twenty historic temples. The planned interventions aim not only to halt the deterioration of the buildings but also to enhance their use as driving forces for cultural and religious tourism, creating conditions to attract visitors and boost the local economy.

Ana Paula Martins, Mayor of Tavira, emphasized that "these protocols represent more than an investment in the stone and mortar of our monuments. They are a commitment to preserving Tavira's cultural identity and creating economic opportunities through qualified tourism. The collaboration established with religious institutions demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile heritage preservation, tourism development, and social cohesion."

The three protocols come into force immediately after their signature, with the period necessary for the implementation of the planned interventions, and may be extended by agreement between the parties.