Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo

Santa Catarina is another great place to live! 

The parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, has 11,920 hectares, between the barrocal and the mountains with 1815 inhabitants (2011 censuses). The local population is mainly dedicated to agriculture, handicrafts and the artisanal ceramic industry and some rural tourism.

In this area, the transitional cultural landscapes with almond, carob, cork, livestock and the production of spirits, liqueurs and arbutus stand out. This is a fruit of warm colours, grows easily, likes humidity and proliferates in the Algarve mountains. The soils, limestone and clay, determine the development of handicrafts and the ceramic industry.

For those visiting the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, it is possible to go hiking, visit the Agricultural Cooperative of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, which aims to promote the products made in the cooperative and others with local characteristics and show visitors the different stages of production, as well as the utensils used, as well as enjoying a good meal at the restaurants in the parish.

What to visit?

• Mother Church of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo. The Mother Church of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, originally from the 16th century, began to be built with Manueline forms, later combined with a Renaissance model of the Pilartian archetype. In the 18th century, the remodelling works that took place gave Baroque forms to the facade’s finish. From the interior of the three-nave temple, a canvas with the presentation of the “Last Judgment” stands out.

• Production of tiles, donkey bricks and handmade tiles. The production of tiles, donkey bricks and handmade tiles made by the Associação de Telheiros Artesanais is already a point of reference for this parish.

Construction ceramics have been a relevant aspect in the past, but the growing demand for materials with recognized ecological virtues and undeniable aesthetic value opens up the possibility of growth and expansion for this sector of activity. The Moorish pieces are produced in clay extracted at the production site, and their preparation is essentially manual.

The Moorish tile is used on roofs, insulates without smothering, makes the environment clearer, brighter and more resistant. Donkey brick is considered a good insulator and is also used in interior decoration. The “tijoleira” tile is fresh, suitable for the southern regions, where the summer can be extremely hot.

Do you live in Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo? Share with us your thoughts and feelings about this particular area of Tavira to inlight new welcomers.

Thank you.

Isabel Romano