Discover in the Algarve the “Soul” of the Mediterranean.
PATRIMÓNIO IMATERIAL
DA HUMANIDADE (UNESCO)
SEA ROUTE
SEA ROUTE
Located in the antechamber of the Mediterranean, a civilization cradle, the Algarve perfectly mixes its cultural and climate influences with those from the Atlantic. Closely related, Earth and Sea entwined millenary relations of complicity, creating fantastic adventures, and shaping a strong personality in its products. This is the territory we are going to show you, in a discovery of the Mediterranean Diet soul and its best locations, key players, products and cultural traits. As olive oil is one of the Mediterranean Diet main traits, we will start this route by a billenary olive tree that can be found leaving road N125 (Km 130.5) at the tourist resort of Pedras D’El Rei 1- Jorge Amado St., 46B, 8800-562. At this point, look west and try to imagine the village of Balsa, one of the most important Roman cities of Iberia (Centuries II BC – V AD) - probable Phoenician origins - from which there’s nothing left but memories and traces kept by the land. Head towards the barrier islands of Ria Formosa, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal until Barril Beach where you can see the stunning “Cemetery of Anchors2”, the remaining of the ancient tuna trap “Três Irmãos”. Next stop is Stª Luzia, a lovely fishing community that elected octopus as its main fishing target. You must try the dozens of different culinary variations about this noble mollusc at the tavern “Casa do Polvo3” - (Av. Eng º Duarte Pacheco, nº 8) before leaving towards Tavira. Known for its delicate architecture (and its “scissor roofs”) and an impressive number of churches, as a community open to the world, Tavira owes its
origins and its wealth - monumentally expressed throughout the town - to trade. Phoenicians, Romans and Muslims shaped the evolution of this community and left indelible marks you must know: Phoenician wall4 (D. Paio Peres Correia St.); Almohad5 (Graça Monastery) and Muslim Museum nucleus6 (Galeria Palace) where you can’t miss the famous and mysterious “Tavira vase”. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean Diet is a dynamic and modern reality, based on high quality local products and places where you can enjoy them. Don’t miss the stalls in the new Municipal Market7, the Mediterranean Diet shop at the old Ribeira Market8, by the riverside, and the Craftsmen Association (ASTA), near Galeria Palace. Walking down the pavement, let your eyes enjoy the sunset at the beautiful “Roman” bridge, where a myth says two lovers sealed a pact of impossible love that gave two unlikely names to the river: upstream, Asseca (from her) and downstream, Gilão (from him). Tavira has a large gastronomic offer of excellent quality at varied levels: from familiar and local to sophisticated and exquisite. Highlights include, at Ribeira Market, the Gilão Restaurant, showcasing a diversified MD menu. Crossing the river to the east bank, be sure you taste the traditional dishes at Ponto de Encontro Restaurant11, on Duarte Padinha St., 39. Leaving Tavira and heading east, the “Arraial Ferreira Neto12”, at the mouth of River Gilão, is a key element to understand the history of tuna fishing. Enjoy the place, recently converted into a hotel, and visit the tuna fishing gear museum.
R
R Stroll along the nearby salterns and admire their colours and the wisdom underlying their exploitation. On its banks grows the glasswort (Salicornea europea), a plant about to change gastronomy as its high salt content turns it into an outstanding ingredient for Mediterranean dishes. Eventually, this discovery journey through the old ways linked to the sea and the Mediterranean takes us to Cabanas, which pristine beaches, in the heart of Ria Formosa, are not the sole attraction. At the Municipal Market13, you can closely contact with grown and locally harvested fruits and go on a “pilgrimage” to a temple of gastronomic pleasures of the Mediterranean Diet, the restaurant “Noélia and Gerónimo14” (Av . Ria Formosa 2, tel.281370649); here you can participate in a celebration of flavours and genuine Mediterranean aromas. This is just one of many discovery suggestions about the best that Mediterranean Diet has to offer to the traveller, thirsty for a millenary History made of close bonds and wisdom between people, products and places.
CONSULTE O MAPA DIGITAL
1 Pedras d’El Rei 37.095735, -7.678060 2 Cemitério de Âncoras 37.086739, -7.661537 3 Casa do Polvo 37.10178, -7.65765 4 Muralha Fenícia 37.125560, -7.650772 5 Núcleos Museológicos Almóada 37.125015, -7.652824 6 Núcleos Museológicos Islâmico 37.125959, -7.651359 7 Mercado Municipal de Tavira 37.122641, -7.644601 8 Mercado da Ribeira 37.125393, -7.647720 9 Palácio da Galeria 37.125802, -7.651500 10 Ponte Romana 37.126518, -7.650063 11 Restaurante Ponto de Encontro 37.128081, -7.649323 12 Arraial Ferreira Neto 37.119367, -7.627258 13 Mercado Municipal 37.135932, -7.597545 14 Rest. Noélia e Gerónimo 37.137022, -7.595025
WWW.RDM.PT
The Mediterranean Diet Route (Rota da Dieta Mediterrânica - RDM) is an initiative framed by the Plan for the Safeguard of Mediterranean Diet, developed by In-Loco Association and other members of the Regional Commission for the Mediterranean Diet (DM) and supported by the Operational Programme Algarve 21. It aims to qualify, to organize and to provide, to visitors and interested parties, a wide range of locations and patrimonial assets where the identity traits of the Mediterranean Diet are highlighted and can be enjoyed with quality and depth.
FB.COM/RDMEDITERR ANICA
PROMOTOR
FINANCIADOR
Algarve / Portugal Comunidade Represen tativa Tavira