Last modified: 2026-02-28 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: tavira(freguesia) | sta.maria(tavira) | santiago(tavira) | bridge | armillary sphere | orange(branch) | wheat(haulm) | castle | flag | cross(santiago) | carob(branch) | olive(branch) |
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![[Tavira (Santa Maria e Santiago) united commune flag]](../images/p/pt-tvrtv.gif)
2:3, image by António Martins-Tuválkin and Sérgio Horta, 14 Jan 2026
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain field gyronny of eight of purple and white.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Jan 2026
![[Tavira (Santa Maria e Santiago) united commune CoA]](../images/p/pt-tvrtv).gif)
image by António Martins-Tuválkin and Sérgio Horta, 14 Jan 2026
Shield Purple a castle Or masoned Sable with port and windows Gules, charged on its main tower by a sword-cross Gules [pt-ost.html]in chief an orange branch
Argent fructed Gules in fess, issuant from flanches and from base wavy Argent, charged with a barrulet wavy Azure and two barrulets wavy Vert,
a seven-arch bridge Argent masoned Sable.
Mural crown Argent with five visible towers (city rank) and white scroll with inscription in black capitals
"UNIÃO DAS FREGUESIAS DE TAVIRA (SANTA MARIA E SANTIAGO)".
Meaning:
Sérgio Horta´s webpage
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Jan 2026
Published in Diário da República: III Série on 28 April 2025, see here
Draft made by Eduardo Brito and Sérgio Horta
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Jan 2026
Tavira is one of the three communes of Tavira Municipality not affected by the 2013 changes. The new commune had 36079 inhabitants in 2021 and covers 8,81 km².
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Jan 2026
![[Santa Maria (Tavira) commune (until 2013)]](../images/p/pt-tvrtv-sm.gif)
2:3, image by Sérgio Horta, 12 Apr 2015
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain green field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Shield Argent with base wavy of Vert and Argent, topped by a bridge Sable masoned Argent with three archs,
in chief an armillary sphere Sable flanked by a thrice fruited branch of orange Proper at dexter and a haulm of wheat Vert tied Gules per saltire at sinister.
Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "TAVIRA - SANTA MARIA".
Meaning:
The Roman bridge, an exlibris of the city of Tavira, is connecting both parts of the city. Orange and wheat are symbolising the agricultural riches of the commune.
The base wavy is symbolising its location at the sea. The armillary sphere, introduced by King D. Manuel I, is a symbol of commerce and today also tourism.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Draft of flag and arms made by Tecnofiscal Company. Published in Diário da República: III Série on 4 November 1997
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Santa Maria Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Tavira Municipality (q.v.); it had 8836 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 135.2 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
![[Santiago (Tavira) commune (until 2013)]](../images/p/pt-tvrtv-st.gif)
2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 12 Apr 2015
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Shield Azure, a three-towered, embattled castle Or masoned Sable with port and windows Sable, superimposed by a sword cross fleury Gules and the central tower crowned by a flag Or diapered Gules fixed by a pole Sable,
alongside the bordure one branch of carob and one of olive, both Or fruited Argent, tied Gules in point.
Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "TAVIRA - SANTIAGO".
Meaning:
The sword cross is alluding to the Noble Knights´ Order of Santiago. St. James is also the local patron saint. The castle is reminding on the city´s history during the wars against the Moors,
especially on D. Paio Peres Correia, the local commander of the Order of Santiago. The branches are representing agriculture as the most important economic base of the city.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Published in Diário da República: III Série on 19 October 1998
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
Santiago Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Tavira Municipality; it had 6297 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 25,7 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015
back to Tavira Communes click here