Antonio Tavira y Almazán facts for kids

Antonio Tavira y Almazán was an important Spanish figure. He was born in Iznatoraf, Jaén, Spain, on September 30, 1737. He passed away in Salamanca, Spain, on January 7, 1807. He was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy for many years, from 1775 to 1807.

He was also a famous archaeologist. He found ancient Visigothic remains near Cabezo del Griego. These findings helped identify the ancient city of Segobriga. Antonio Tavira held several important church positions. He was the Honorary Chaplain for King Charles III of Spain starting in 1772. He also became a Knight and a Prior of the Military Order of Santiago in Uclés, Cuenca province, from 1788 to 1789. Later, he served as a bishop in different cities. He was the Bishop of Canarias (1791–1796), Bishop of Osma (1796–1798), and finally Bishop of Salamanca (1798–1807).

Working with the King

Antonio Tavira had some disagreements with the Spanish Inquisition. This was because King Carlos IV of Spain wanted more control over church matters. The King wished to give bishops the power to decide on marriage annulments. Tavira supported the King's desire for more royal power over the church.

Friendships and Views

Antonio Tavira was a very close friend of Minister Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. Both of them were suspicious of the Spanish Inquisitors in the late 1700s. They believed some Inquisitors were not doing their job well. They also thought some might have been too friendly with certain French figures.

Becoming a Bishop

Antonio Tavira became the Bishop of Salamanca. He was also a Catholic Bishop of Maximionopolis in Palestine. He was ordained by a Scottish priest named Alexander Cameron. This ordination took place on October 28, 1798.

See also

In Spanish: Antonio Tavira Almazán para niños