Against a background of light and beauty stands before the blue sky and the sea, Santa Luzia. With 430 hectares, this is the smallest parish in the municipality and has 1,455 inhabitants. Situated about 2 km from Tavira, this village has in its essence the customs and knowledge of the people of the sea.
According to the records, Santa Luzia was born in 1577 at the initiative of fishermen, when they built a chapel dedicated to a saint of the same name, Sicilian martyr and protector of suffering eye. Santa Luzia became thus the patron saint of the parish.
The history of the town has always been connected to the sea. Initially through by beach seines and hook fishing, and from 1842 until the mid-twentieth century, with the appearance of the barrel frame, through the tuna copejo. From 1927, the fishermen began to devote himself to octopus fishing with buckets and pots, that fact contributed to that, even today, Santa Luzia is considered the "capital of the octopus."
Years later, more specifically, to December 29, 1984, this town, previously included in the parish of Santiago, became a parish seat, having become village in 1999.
Today, still fishing nature, this parish lives, too, the focus on tourism, accommodation, restaurants and quality beaches. Designated as the "capital of the octopus," Santa Luzia offers to all its visitors true moments of harmony and well-being.
Enjoy life of this town and the fishing gear that live in a climate of harmony with tourism and the hospitality of santaluzienses.
What to see?
Mother Church of Santa Luzia
Dating back to the sixteenth century, the church was rebuilt in the twentieth century, with the help of the population.
Old Tuna Frame
Located, Barril beach in, its origin dates back to 1842. Its conservation status is good, and the space was converted into a commercial area with shops, restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlor and bar. Next the frame, you can admire along the beach, a 'graveyard anchors "that adorns the area.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
The Ria Formosa Natural Park covers an area of about 18,400 ha distributed along 60 km of coastline comprising the territory of Ancão to Manta Rota.
It is a wetland of international importance, which is part of the list of Ramsar sites and special protection area - "Birds Directive".
With about two hundred documented species, the Ria Formosa houses migratory birds from central and northern Europe as well as being breeding grounds for many others.
The Ria Formosa is a protected area the natural park status since 1987, was elected in 2010 as one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal, is also considered a major ecosystem importance not only regionally and nationally and internationally. (Know more)
Oliveira bimillenial
The imposing new millennium olive tree was classified of public interest in 1984. This tree has a canopy of 7.70 meters in height and a larger diameter of 11.80 meters. Thought to be originally from Mesopotamia, and was brought to Europe by the Phoenicians entering the Algarve by Ferry village.