St. Peter church

The Church of Sãn Pedro (St. Paul) is a primitive chapel built by sailors. It was expanded due to the transfer of the new Parish headquarters, having been completely rebuilt in the mid-16th century. Affected by the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt again. On the façade, the portico is framed by two pairs of Ionic columns that support the cornice topped with a niche, with the statue of Saint Peter.

The gate has a Renaissance facade with two iconic columns supporting the cornice and ind the middle there is small statue of Saint Peter.

During the earthquake of 1755, the Church was severely damaged, the restoration was completed only in 1780, several chapels and a bell tower were added to the building.

The portico dating from the end of the 16th century with a statue of S. Pedro (St. Peter) to whom the church is dedicated.

Built in 1147, the cathedral has survived many earthquakes and has been modified, renovated and restored several times. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles.

While the exterior of this 16th-century church is unassuming, the tri-nave interior has magnificent 18th-century azulejos and intricately carved woodwork, including a rococo altar.

Inside there are three naves and two chapels, one of which is richly adorned with Portuguese blue tiles. The main chapel has a 17th century altarpiece which is believed to be one of the first samples of Baroque in Algarve. Most of the sculptures in the church are from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Close to the altar are two columns with two symmetrical pulpits.

The main nave with the altar

The chancel has an altarpiece from the late 17th century, probably one of the first examples of the Baroque style in the Algarve.

This is the 2nd nave which is richly adorned with Portuguese blue tiles and called the souls Chapel (capela das Almas).

Close look at the tiles.

More chapels....

The 3rd chapel which has a rococo altarpiece

Most of the sculptures in the church are from the 17th and 18th centuries

Igreja Do Carmo

Not far from the Church of Sãn Pedro is the church Do Carmo

The Igreja do Carmo in Faro, with its Baroque façade and twin bell towers is one of the finest churches on the Algarve. The Carmelite church was built throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries, starting in 1719. Disaster struck in 1755 when the great earthquake that hit Portugal badly damaged the church. However, a new facade was designed by mason Diogo Gonçalves including the now iconic bell towers.

Although the exterior of the church was not completed until 1878, I was told that interior is lavish interior was complete 150 years earlier.

The church was built during the reign of João V when money was no object. Funds flowed freely from the colonies and it is said the Igreja do Carmo was paid for with Brazilian gold.

Each time we tried to come in the church was closed and we were never able to come back when it was open, so we only saw the exterior.

NEXT....Dinner at Villa Adentro