Faro Churches

The heart of Faro's old town is dominated by the Cathedral (located at the Largo da Se), of which only the tower and a doorway remain today. An original Gothic church built in the XIII century; it was severely damaged during the 1755 earthquake. From the crest of the tower, enjoy the panoramic views of Faro and the coastline.

The cathedrals’ main chapel houses a fine throne and two Italian canvasses. The two security chapels of the cathedral are one of the best examples of baroque carving in the Algarve. The walls of the Chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento (Most Holy Sacrament) are ornamented with four XVIII century paintings and carvings. The Chapel of the Santo Lenho (Holy Cross) encloses magnificent carvings, an important collection of relics and the mausoleum of the cathedral's founding bishop (XVIII century). Among the side chapels, the ones devoted to Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception) and São Domingos (St. Dominic) are worth a viewing for their exquisite tile decoration and the gothic structure that they retain.

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres (Our Lady of Pleasures) is a gem of baroque art, with carvings tiles and paintings and the marbles lay inside the chapel. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary) has a carved and an altarpiece ornamented with gold, groups of figurative tiles belonging to the XVII century and two intriguing and awfully rare lamps depicting Negro figures (XVIII century).

Some other churches worth a visit in and around Faro :

> The Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo):
This XVIII century construction has the most imposing facade and the twin bell-towers against the horizon captivate your eyes from the entrance it self. Algarvian Baroque style decorations, religious statuary and paintings take over the inside of the church. The church houses an important collection of religious statuary; including nine statues of the Triumphal procession which are the work of the Algarvian sculptor and carver Manuel Martins. The construction of this mammoth structure took virtually the whole of the 18th century into the first years of the XIX century. The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) can be found right next to the church. Getting there: The church is situated in the Largo do Carmo square in the Bairro Ribeirinho district of Faro.

> Church of the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco:
The tiles which adorn the walls of the main chapel and the carved cornice are self descriptive and date back to the beginning of the XVIII century. The tiles on the tomb belong to later half of the same century. Rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, the tomb at its centre has a fine multicolored panel portraying the Coronation of the Virgin. The main altar and the octagonal dome over the transept are embellished with magnificent carving in the rocaille style. Other parts of the church are decorated with groups of XVII and XVIII century tiles. The sequence of Italian paintings belonging to the end of the XVIII century depicts the life of the patron saint. There is a rather attractive collection of mannequins that are used in the Cinzas (Ashes) and Dores (Pains) processions.

> Misericórdia Church :
This church with its adjacent hospital, was built at the end of the XVI century by the initiative of Bishop Afonso Castelo Branco, over the old Manueline Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) chapel and hospital. It happens to be the only church in the Algarve built in the form of a Greek cross, by an architect from Lisbon. The destruction of this building prompted bishop Francisco Gomes to renovate the facade and build a new hospital which was now designed by Francisco Xavier Fabri.

> The Church of Sao Pedro (Igreja de Sao Pedro):

This church was built in the XVI century on the site of a XV century mariner’s chapel. The Church is located just south of Carmo Church, at the Largo de Sao Pedro (Bairro Ribeirinho district). Like the others, this church also underwent extensive modifications following the earthquake of 1755. It has a portico in the mannerist style, with a forte seating a statue of the patron saint. There are three naves inside with columns copied from those in the cathedral, incorporated during the reconstruction in the XVIII century

> The Church of Sao Vicente (St. Vincent) and São Diogo (St. Diogo)
The church riches include a monstrance in silver gild and a XVII century embroidered cape. The podium is made of local marble. The baptistery bears neo "rocaille" beautification in a style similar to what you see in The Estoi palace.

> Main church of Santa Barbra de Nexe:

Erected in the XV century; the church underwent a number of modifications in the XVII century. It has an interior consisting of three naves, and arches. The main chapel has a picturesque vault, heralded by a triumphal arch that is in the Manueline style as well as the influence of renaissance art. The altars have carved retables and statues belonging to the XVII and XVIII centuries, with centre of attraction being that of Santa Barbara. The walls of the chapel of Santo António are embellished with ashlars of polychrome tiles. There are two XVI century wooden paintings and above the triumphal arch there is a panel illustrating the coronation of Santa Barbara by two angels.

> Church and Monastery of the Capuchos (Capuchins): A typical depiction of Capuchin architecture, with arcades and a statue set in a niche this monument was built in the XVII century.

> Main church of Conceicao:

This is a modest XVI century church, reconstructed in the XIX century. It has a renaissance gateway and a main chapel with a plated tomb; headed by a victorious arch bearing Manueline decoration and images from the XVII century. A cross bearing the statue of the crucifixion mounted on a pillar.