Built on the remains of a Roman temple and a Moorish mosque, Faro Cathedral is a medieval structure that blends Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles. Its lavish interior is composed of marble, gilded woodwork and the region’s traditional glazed tiles, known as azulejos. See the historic building at night, when light illuminates the bells decorating its roof.
Notice the range of architectural styles indicating the periods of renovations and reconstructions. The Gothic tower and main portal date back to the initial 13th-century site, while much of the rest of the cathedral was added in the following two centuries.
Enter the structure to see the gold-leaf décor and azulejos tiling from the 17th and 18th centuries. Gaze up at the wooden ceilings and walk between the Tuscan columns. Among the church’s surprises is a red-painted wooden organ, covered in Chinese symbols.
Climb up the spiraling staircase to reach the roof and admire the view over the historic center. In the front stands the Episcopal Palace of Faro, while the vista’s backdrop is made up of scenic marshy islands and the ocean.
Visit the upstairs section of the cathedral for its museum, where you’ll encounter old religious attire next to ecclesiastical paintings and statues. An eerie ossuary contains numerous bones and skulls, reminiscent of the larger Bones Chapel in Faro’s city center.
Relax with a hot beverage and snack in the adjacent cafés, which have outdoor seating areas beneath the orange trees in the Largo da Sé plaza.
Note that the initial incarnation of the church was constructed in 1271. Today, it opens to the public Monday through Saturday from morning until late afternoon.
Find the Faro Cathedral in the center of the Old Town quarter that juts out from the southwestern corner of the city. The Faro train station is a 10-minute walk north from the cathedral, which is near the Faro ferry terminal. See some of the historic center’s gems, such as the Palacete Belmarço, the Arco da Vila and the Centro de Ciência Viva do Algarve.
