Igreja da Sé
Igreja de Santa Maria
The Igreja de Santa Maria was built after the expulsion of the Moors, from the year 1351 on, upon the foundations of a destroyed mosque. This mosque in turn was probably erected upon the foundations of a church that had been built by the Goths in the 5th century.
In the course of the centuries the church was being renovated, changed and amplified again and again. From the original structure have survived the belfry, the main entrance and two chapels.
The walls are covered in part floor-to-ceiling with Azulejos from the 17th century.
A sarcophagus in an alcove of the church.
View from the belfry over the city of Faro, the natural reserve Ria Formosa up to the airport and upon the Atlantic.
The church can be visited daily from 10 h to 17 h.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Coordinates: 37°01’11.1″N 7°56’07.4″W
The construction of the church was begun in 1709 and was finished in 1807 with the completion of the last belfry.
The richly decorated altar is elaborated artfully and dates from the 18th century.
In the year 1808 a secret meeting took place here, the purpose of which was to rebel against the French occupation.
In the church are images of the saints, paintings and sacred art.
Please follow the signposting to the chapel of bones (Capela dos Ossos). You get to this pavilion and to the actual chapel, the walls and ceiling of which are covered with human bones, via a small garden.
The church can be visited daily from 10 h to 13 h and from 15 h to 18 h. On Saturday afternoons and on Sundays it is closed.
Igreja de São Pedro
Coordinates: 37°01’07.3″N 7°56’04.8″W
The church was built in the 16th century by seafarers / fishermen upon the debris of a plain hermitage from the early 15th century.
The building is partly used for concerts.
The church can be visited daily. The entrance is free.
Ermida de Sâo Luìs
Coordinates: 37°01’24. 7°55’48.6″W
The church was built at the beginning of the 18th century and was damaged heavily during the earthquake of 1755. Around the year 1806 the building was reconstructed at the instance of the bishop Francisco Gomes of Avelar.
The church is opened daily for visitors and the entrance is free.
A donation for the preservation of the house of God is accepted with pleasure.