Churches, Chapel, Cathedral

Churches, since the beginning of time, are places of worship where the teachings of Christ are preached according to Christian principles and where the faithful form part of a community linked by the bonds of doctrine and faith.

As time went by, they began to acquire a touristic aspect due to its decorative, historical and architectural details that are much sought after by travelers.

Religious Tourism has linked itself to the pilgrimage, there are several pilgrims who move to sacred places in order to fulfill their promises and, once in the cities, visit the same and the existing monuments.

Even with different faiths and beliefs, there are many tourists who seek Portuguese churches to visit in order to know their stories and contemplate their beauty.

1. Carmelitas' Church

Located between Praça de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo, the Carmelitas’ Church was inaugurated in 1628 and occupied by the Barefoot Carmelite Friars.

Its facade in baroque style and granite stonework, has three arches with images of São José, Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Santa Teresa de Jesus. Its bell tower is covered with blue tiles.

Inside, the gilt carving in the same Baroque / Rococo style stands out on the side chapels and on the main altar.

Nowadays, his convent, initially built to house the priests, is a military barracks of GNR.

Very close to the Clérigos’ Tower, this church is linked to the Carmo’s Church, both classified as “National Monument” in May 2013.

2. Carmo's Church

The Carmo’s Church was built between 1756 and 1768 in the Baroque / Rococo style, according to the project of the architect José Figueiredo Seixas.

On the façade, it is possible to contemplate Santa Ana, the patron of this Church, and at the entrance door, the prophets Elias and Eliseu. The side façade is covered with tiles with scenes depicting the foundation of the Carmelite Order and Monte Carmelo designed by Silvestre Silvestri and painted by Carlos Branco in 1912.

Inside, there is an excellent gilt carving on the side chapels and the main altar, the statuary and several oil paintings.

A place not to be missed is the “Casa Escondida” (Hidden House), the narrowest house in the city, located between the Igreja do Carmo and the Igreja dos Carmelitas, built due to a law prohibiting two churches from sharing the same wall.

For information on visits and pricing, please consult:

https://www.facebook.com/tourCarmoPorto/

3. Trindade's Church

Located at the back of the Porto City Hall in Praça da Trindade, we find the Trinity’s Church. Built during the 19th century by the architect Carlos Amarante, it has been integrated into a hospital complex belonging to the Third Order of the Holy Trinity since 1755.

Its façade in granite stonework and raised, has three portals with full arch with golden letters under a red background, is divided into two floors and three panels crowned by the central bell tower.

With a Latin cross plan and a deep chancel, this church reflects the neoclassical style despite having some Baroque details. Inside, it is possible to admire the marble work and the gilded altarpieces as well as a single nave covered by a vault.

It is said that in this place there was a vision of the Holy Trinity and of angels singing.

4. Santo Ildefonso's Church

Inaugurated in 1739, the Church of Santo Ildefonso is located in Praça da Batalha, close to the Teatro Nacional São João. Formerly there was a medieval chapel, an old chapel known as Santo Alifon, but it was demolished in 1709 as it was in danger of collapse.

Built in granite, the body of the church is shaped like an octagon with decorative plaster ceilings. Its facade, filled with tiles that depict scenes from the life of Santo Ildefonso and figurative images from the Gospels, has two bell towers and a rectangular recess with the figure of the patron. Each tower has masonry spheres, a stone cross and a metal flag.

Two very notable features of the building are the altarpiece and the blue and white tile created by the architect Nicolau Nasoni.

For information on timetables, please consult: https://santoildefonso.org/horarios/

5. Soul's Chapel

With very simple features and a rare artistic beauty, this religious building is well known for its blue tiles, although it was initially built in wood in the 18th century. On these same tiles, placed in the 20th century, it is possible to see episodes from the lives of Santa Catarina and São Francisco de Assis.

Neoclassical in style, the nave's altars and the main altar are dedicated to Nossa Sra. De Fátima, Nossa Sra. Da Conceição, Nossa Sra. Das Dores, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and São João. There is also an image of Nossa Senhora das Almas in the interior since the beginning of its construction.

On the main façade we can see a large window with a stained glass window that represents the souls, created by the painter Amândio Silva in the second half of the 20th century.

Located in the heart of downtown Porto, more precisely on Rua Santa Catarina, it is very visited by tourists and devotees, national and international.

For information on timetables, please consult: https://santoildefonso.org/horarios/

6. Oporto’s Cathedral

In Roman-Gothic style and erected in the 12th and 13th centuries, this religious building has a fortress aspect due to the two side towers with domes and the rose window on its facade.

Its construction began in the 20th century and has undergone several reconstructions which explains the existence of different styles. Most of the cathedral is Baroque, while the façade structure and the body of the church are romantic, and the cloister and chapel of São João Evangelista are of Gothic style.

Built in the highest part of the city, the Cathedral of Oporto’s Sé is one of the most important religious buildings in Porto and has been declared a National Monument.

Outside the Cathedral, in the square, you can see a column that was used to hang criminals.

An unmissable place for its privileged views of the city and the Douro River.

For information on timetables, please consult: https://www.diocese-porto.pt/pt/catedral-do-porto/