The houses that marked the life of Eugénio Tavares on Brava Island - A Nostalgic Look

Eugénio Tavares's birthplace, located on Rua da Cultura, formerly Rua 5 de Outubro, remains a lifelong link with the poet. Built by José Pedro de Sena, the first Captain-Major of Ilha Brava, around 1780, the residence preserves a unique architecture, even after surviving two storms in the 20th century. It currently belongs to Eugénio de Paula Tavares de Sena, the poet's great-nephew. The architectural legacy of this house is enriched by the recognition of Sebastião José de Sena, Commander of the Brazilian and Portuguese Merchant Navy, who rebuilt it around 1880.

The "Vera Cruz" House on Rua Direita witnessed the childhood and adolescence of Eugénio Tavares until his marriage. Owned by Dr. José da Vera Cruz, his adoptive father, and also inhabited by D. Eugénia da Vera Cruz Medina and Vasconcelos, his adoptive mother, this residence embodies the typical sharing of family spaces in Brava. An atmosphere that undoubtedly influenced the author's poetry, who often portrayed the complexity of family relationships in his work.

Casa da Pé da Rocha, currently transformed into a museum, was the home of Eugénio Tavares for approximately four decades, from his marriage to D. Guiomar Leça Tavares until his death in 1930. This space witnessed the artistic maturation of the poet, reflected in works that echo the Cape Verdean soul. The house is not just a museum, but a sanctuary that preserves the essence of the man who shaped Cape Verdean literature.

Casa de Aguada, a paternal inheritance, was the refuge of Eugénio Tavares. Located like an eagle's nest in a valley that leads to Praia and the small bay of Aguada, it was the setting for moments of solitude and contemplation of nature. This place, the scene of memorable meetings with friends, warm afternoons and conviviality, became a spot for picnics and even open-air masses, testifying to a full life rich in human connections.

Upon entering these houses, we immerse ourselves not only in the brick and stone walls, but in the pages of a poetic story that continues to resonate through time. Eugénio Tavares' houses on Ilha Brava are not mere physical locations; They are living chapters of a literary legacy that endures, inviting us to explore the deep layers of the soul of this illustrious Cape Verdean poet.