Roofs inspired by the Orient

Emblematic of Tavira, an ancient aristocratic city, the four-sided or hipped roof demonstrates a strong Oriental influence in its architecture.  Though it used to be a traditional feature in Faro buildings as well, it is now only found in three historical quarters.

Suited to the climate in the south of Portugal, the four-sided or scissor-shaped roof allows free air circulation in rooms, making them cooler in summer and warmer in winter by keeping the cold away. A quadrangular pyramid with a sharp incline, the roof is covered by pipe tiles and up-turned eaves, evoking the orient inspired by the spice merchants from faraway lands. The roofing is made up of small hipped roofs, juxtaposed and aligned along the façade of a building, each one corresponding to a part of the house. If you are viewing from outside, an interesting feature is that the number of pyramids you can see matches the number of rooms inside.

Bairro Ribeirinho (the Waterfront Quarter), Bairro da Vila-Adentro (an Old Quarter) and the Bairro da Mouraria/Judiaria (the Moorish/Jewish Quarter) are the three areas in Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, where hipped roofs are still preserved.  This heritage is a good reason in itself to visit the city.