CACHOPO
Area – 197,56Km2
Cachopo is the most northerly of the Tavira Parishes and one of the largest.
The beautiful village of Cachopo is situated in the Serra o Caldeirão mountains, the range of mountains that separates the Algarve region from the rest of Portugal.
The narrow cobble streets of Cachopo haven´t changed for many years gives the feel that time has stood still in this part of Tavira region.
The architecture is simple with one floor houses, many painted in white and the traditional Algarvian chimney on the roof.
The Santo Estevão Mother Church in Cachopo dates from 1535 and stands at the top of the hill overlooking the narrow cobbled streets that make up the village.
The people of Cachopo have maintained their local traditions and the crafts of the locality such as knitted garments and embroided lace are still produced by the ladies of the town.
The Cachopo museum located in the town celebrates the history and traditions of the area and is well worth a visit. It can be found on Rua Matos Casaca.
Opening times : 09.30 to 13.00 / 14.30 to 18.00
Tel. (+351) 289 844 191
In addition to the wonderful local crafts, local products such as wool, honey and cheese are produced on the local farms.
Probably the most important crop locally however is cork which is taken from the Cork Oak tree(Quercus suber). The tree forms a thick, corky bark. Over time this bark can develop considerable thickness and this is harvested every 9-12 years as cork.
The harvesting of cork does not harm the tree and a new layer of cork regrows, making it a renewable resource.
It takes at least 25 years for a new tree to become profitable. The first stripping produces cork that is too hard to be easily handled. It’s used in products like flooring and insulation. A second harvest produces better material, but still not good enough for cork bottle-stoppers .
Only the third and subsequent harvests produce cork with an even structure good enough to be used for wine closures. The cork oak tree will then provide a harvest for some 200 years.
The area was once the haunt of the wealthy and privileged who enjoyed the spring waters of the Fonte Férrea where the waters were thought to have medicinal attributes.
The area now is enjoyed for it´s scenery and walks and a very unspoilt part of the wonderful Tavira province.
