Visit Tavira

The Laudanum (Cistus ladanifer L.) is an important element in the existing brushwoods of ecosystems characterized by a Mediterranean climate, especially in non calcareous soils where it often becomes the dominating species.

It is a rapidly growing perennial plant. Usually upright bearing up to 2,5m tall although most of the times it does not exceed 2m in height.

Long, narrow foliage that may reach 10cm in length and 1,5cm width. The younger plants are strongly impregnated with a bright and resinous substance that sticks to the hands and clothes.

It has large solitary 10 cm wide flower. With 3 sepals and 5 white petals, it sometimes has a purple blotch at the base of each petal. Each flower last only one single day in a long succession of flowers.

The fruit is a globose capsule with 7-10 compartments. The plant can be found in the whole western Mediterranean region and on the Canary Islands. It is quite abundant in Alentejo and Algarve and in the Spanish regions of Extremadura, Serra Morena, Andalusia and Castela.

Thanks to Andrew from FlashgunFilms who left a comment in the contact section of my site. There is a movie about the Tuna Fish industry in Tavira and its Golden era. Here is the Youtube version:

The city of Tavira, once during the Roman empire a secondary passing place of the important road between Balsa and Baesuris.

The name itself comes from Moorish influences, initially called Tabira (”the hidden”), although there are many variations according to popular History: Tabira, Tavila, Talabriga (You will find some restaurants and bars with these names there).

Instead of Tavira, there are funny misspellings that lead people to this site, having a look at the visits log from Google, Yahoo or MSN, the most common ones are: Tavera, Taviera, Taveira, Tavaria, Travira

If you used to write it in another funny way, let me know in the comments :)