{"id":1139,"date":"2014-12-28T19:26:41","date_gmt":"2014-12-28T19:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/?p=1139"},"modified":"2014-12-28T19:30:17","modified_gmt":"2014-12-28T19:30:17","slug":"inspirational-obscura-torre-de-tavira-torre-tavira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/2014\/12\/inspirational-obscura-torre-de-tavira-torre-tavira\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspirational Obscura: Torre de Tavira \/ Torre Tavira"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In our search for camera obscura around the world we\u2019re often told of one in Portugal and having found it we then discovered it shares a name with another one in Spain. The <b>Torre de Tavira<\/b> is a converted water tower on the Algarve while the <b>Torre Tavira<\/b> is in an 18th century watchtower in Cadiz. Not only do they share the same name and a sort-of similar language but they actually face each other over the Gulf of Cadiz, as seen on our <a href=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/map-of-obscura\/\">Map Of Obscura<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/map-of-obscura\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1156\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Camera-Obscura-Of-The-World-2.jpg\" alt=\"Camera Obscura Of The World-2\" width=\"768\" height=\"470\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Camera-Obscura-Of-The-World-2.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Camera-Obscura-Of-The-World-2-300x184.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Camera-Obscura-Of-The-World-2-624x382.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So we\u2019ve sifted through the collective search engine results and here\u2019s what we\u2019ve found.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdepa.pt\/\">website<\/a> for the <a href=\"http:\/\/portugal-lol.com\/2012\/04\/camera-obscura-in-the-tower-of-tavira\/\"><strong>Portuguese Torre de Tavira<\/strong><\/a> is down currently but the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripadvisor.co.uk\/Attraction_Review-g285715-d1903723-Reviews-Camera_Obscura-Tavira_Faro_District_Algarve.html\">Tripadvisor reviews<\/a> imply it\u2019s still open and has some really nice photos of the structure (no credits given)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1157\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-4.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-4\" width=\"550\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-4.jpeg 550w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-4-300x194.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1158\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-8.jpg\" alt=\"Unknown-8\" width=\"816\" height=\"816\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-8.jpg 816w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-8-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-8-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-8-624x624.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also this great shot of the \u201chow it works\u201d sign on the outside.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1159\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-7.jpg\" alt=\"Unknown-7\" width=\"669\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-7.jpg 669w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-7-300x210.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-7-624x437.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And, of course, the inside itself.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1161\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-5.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-5\" width=\"910\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-5.jpeg 910w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-5-300x201.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-5-624x418.jpeg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1160\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-2\" width=\"909\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-2.jpeg 909w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-2-300x201.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-2-624x419.jpeg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also a review on the (wonderfully named) <a href=\"http:\/\/bwtas.blogspot.co.uk\/2008\/07\/tavira-water-towercamera-obscura.html\">British Water Tower Appreciation Society blog<\/a> from 2008 which tells us the tower was built in 1931 and converted in 2004 by English astronomers Clive and Gloria Jackson.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Looking over the tower from a construction viewpoint, it seems to be typical of the Mouchel pattern with an Intze floor. There are many water towers in the Algarve region. Like the famous variety of Algarve chimneys, some have Moorish influences in their detailing but most of the larger municipal towers such as at Portimao are fairly basic as they were built during the economic hardships of the Salazar era.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The lens\/mirror\/dish mechanism seems pretty standard but the space looks incredible \u2013 a massive circular room high about the town. Makes us wish Birmingham had a history of water towers\u2026<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.torretavira.com\/en\/index.php\"><strong>Cadiz Torre Tavira<\/strong><\/a> does have an active website and appears to be a much slicker operation, tied into the tourist offer of the town. Here\u2019s a short promotional video:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FxIbHjB9-YQ\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The structure is a watchtower so already gives stunning views across the old town and the bay. The camera is just part of the appeal.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1169\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-3.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-3\" width=\"751\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-3.jpeg 751w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-3-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-3-624x831.jpeg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Inside is another traditional setup with the concave dish projected onto from above. Here\u2019s a promo shot of people looking at it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1165\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-51.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-5\" width=\"650\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-51.jpeg 650w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-51-300x196.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/Unknown-51-624x408.jpeg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And, quite delightfully, a photo of the dish with the lights on!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1166\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/imagen05.jpg\" alt=\"imagen05\" width=\"650\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/imagen05.jpg 650w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/imagen05-300x214.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/imagen05-624x445.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The mirror\/lens housing is most impressive. At first glance I thought it was a small chimney, until I saw the people next to it. Wow!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1167\" src=\"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/053-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"053\" width=\"625\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/053-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/053-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/053-624x832.jpg 624w, http:\/\/www.ash10.com\/bhamobscura\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2014\/12\/053.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So there you have it \u2013 two camera obscuras, one in a watertower, one in a watchtower, both named Tavira.<\/p>\n<p>Lovely!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In our search for camera obscura around the world we\u2019re often told of one in Portugal and having found it we then discovered it shares a name with another one in Spain. The Torre de Tavira is a converted water tower on the Algarve while the Torre Tavira is in an 18th century watchtower in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1139"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1178,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139\/revisions\/1178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bhamobscura.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}